Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Olympia, WA: $86,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Olympia, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $86,722 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Olympia's local price level (BEA RPP 103.7 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,652 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($111,087) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Olympia, Washington, can anticipate a competitive entry-level salary starting at around $86,722. While this figure reflects the minimum 10th percentile, it highlights the gap between early earnings and the median annual salary for civil engineers in the city, which stands at $111,087. For those embarking on their careers, earnings can be expected to increase steadily, reaching approximately $95,169 by the 25th percentile as they gain experience and prove their capabilities. With Olympia's growing infrastructure market bolstered by federal funding from initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this city presents a promising environment for recent graduates, suggesting that new professionals can look forward to a robust foundation for their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Olympia
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 Olympia
Entry-level civil engineers in Olympia, WA typically start between $86,722 and $95,169 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,064 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $111,087 — 7.34% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Washington of $68,000 represents just 78.41% of the starting civil engineer pay ($86,722/year) in Olympia. 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 Olympia
- 1Research the Olympia market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $86,722 to $95,169, 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 Olympia, 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 Olympia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Olympia'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 Olympia is $59,064 ( 68.11%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $86,722, experienced hygienists can earn up to $145,786.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,720
2025 BLS Actual
$84,500
2026 Current Est.
$86,722
2019–2027 Growth
+37.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,003 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Olympia, WA grew 30.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,720 in 2019 to $84,500 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $89,003. New graduates entering the Olympia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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 Olympia
Various employers actively hire new civil engineering graduates in Olympia, fostering a healthy job market. Major consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known for recruiting entry-level engineers, often providing structured training programs essential for career advancement. Additionally, government agencies like the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) offer stable paths, typically including competitive benefits like pensions. Smaller firms may offer faster project ownership opportunities, albeit with less formal training. To enhance their earning potential, new engineers should prioritize obtaining their Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) designation early, as this can pave the way toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Given the anticipated infrastructure spending, individuals in their first three years may see reasonable salary growth as they align their credentials with industry opportunities, with continued demand ensuring a positive outlook in Olympia and the broader WA market.
More salary data for Olympia, 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 Olympia. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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