Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Des Moines, WA: $75,762 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Des Moines, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,762 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Moines's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,542 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,603) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the civil engineering field in Des Moines, Washington, can expect an entry-level salary around $75,762 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for early-career positions, while the median salary for civil engineers stands at $109,603, illustrating a significant gap that suggests growth opportunities for those in their first few years. With anticipated career advancements, entry-level engineers may find their salaries moving towards the $87,200 mark within a few years, reflecting a career trajectory that looks promising due to a robust local job market. Given the projected growth rate of 2.63% annually, Des Moines offers a conducive environment for new graduates looking to establish their careers in civil engineering.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Moines
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
Entry-level civil engineers in Des Moines, WA typically start between $75,762 and $87,200 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $94,122 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,603 — 5.9% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Washington of $68,000 represents just 89.75% of the starting civil engineer pay ($75,762/year) in Des Moines. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Des Moines
- 1Research the Des Moines market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $75,762 to $87,200, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Des Moines, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Des Moines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Moines's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Des Moines is $94,122 ( 124.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,762, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,884.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,909
2025 BLS Actual
$73,821
2026 Current Est.
$75,762
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,909 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,502 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,032 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,821 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,762 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,755 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Des Moines, WA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,909 in 2019 to $73,821 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,755. New graduates entering the Des Moines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Des Moines
In terms of employment opportunities, several employers in Des Moines are well-known for hiring new graduates. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP provide structured Professional Engineer (PE) training pipelines, allowing new engineers to gain essential experiences and credentials needed for advancement. Government agencies like the state Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also offer career tracks that include stable benefits, including pensions. On the education side, obtaining an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree and passing the FE exam during senior year to achieve the EIT designation can significantly enhance earning potential. The ongoing infrastructure initiatives from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are likely to sustain demand for civil engineers, thus supporting realistic salary growth of around 10-15% in the first few years as entry-level professionals work toward obtaining their PE license, a key credential for further career success.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Des Moines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Moines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov