Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Everett, WA: $71,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Everett, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,541 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Everett's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $66,612 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($112,415) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Everett, Washington, realistic expectations for starting salaries in 2026 are anchored by the lower tenth percentile, which is projected at $71,541. This figure represents a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $112,415. However, many early-career professionals may find themselves earning closer to the twenty-fifth percentile, around $85,176, as they gain experience in the first few years. The growth trajectory from an entry-level position through the initial stages of a career in civil engineering is promising, allowing for upward movement in earnings as new engineers improve their skills and begin taking on more responsibility. Currently, Everett presents a favorable market for new graduates due to a growing demand in the infrastructure sector, fueled by initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
About the Everett Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Everett
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 Everett
Entry-level civil engineers in Everett, WA typically start between $71,541 and $85,176 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,702 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $112,415 — 8.62% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Washington of $68,000 represents just 95.05% of the starting civil engineer pay ($71,541/year) in Everett. 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 Everett
- 1Research the Everett market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $71,541 to $85,176, 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 Everett, 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 Everett for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Everett'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 Everett is $102,702 ( 143.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,541, experienced hygienists can earn up to $174,243.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,571
2025 BLS Actual
$69,708
2026 Current Est.
$71,541
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Everett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,571 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,353 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,053 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,423 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Everett, WA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,571 in 2019 to $69,708 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,423. New graduates entering the Everett job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Everett 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 Everett
Employers in Everett that typically hire recent civil engineering graduates include large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn, which are known for their structured pathways for Engineer-in-Training (EIT) candidates. State and federal agencies, including the Washington State Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offer stable career tracks with excellent benefits. Additionally, construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor tend to seek field-engineering EITs for hands-on roles. To boost starting pay in Washington, obtaining credentials from an ABET-accredited institution and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during senior year to achieve EIT status are crucial steps. Aspiring civil engineers should also plan to pursue their Professional Engineer (PE) license and consider additional qualifications like LEED AP to enhance their marketability. With substantial infrastructure spending supporting the sector, realistic salary growth for newcomers within the first few years looks promising as they strive towards more senior roles, ultimately achieving broader project ownership and management responsibilities.
More salary data for Everett, 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 Everett. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Everett 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