Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Brookfield, WI: $64,502 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Brookfield, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,502 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brookfield's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,060 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,504) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Prospective civil engineers entering the workforce in Brookfield, Wisconsin can expect starting salaries that provide a realistic entry point into the profession. With a projected entry-level salary at the 10th percentile of $64,502 in 2026, new graduates should be prepared for a pay range that reflects their initial experience and responsibilities. This starting salary falls significantly short of the city’s median of $94,504, which indicates that there will be a notable growth trajectory within the first few years of employment as they transition from entry-level positions to more advanced roles. New graduates can anticipate upward movement through the 25th percentile at $77,941, suggesting that, with the right experience and credentials, they could begin to close that gap within the initial three to five years of their careers in civil engineering.
About the Brookfield Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brookfield
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 Brookfield
Entry-level civil engineers in Brookfield, WI typically start between $64,502 and $77,941 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,642 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,504 — 8.68% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 85.27% of the starting civil engineer pay ($64,502/year) in Brookfield. 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 Brookfield
- 1Research the Brookfield market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $64,502 to $77,941, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brookfield, 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 Brookfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brookfield's below-average 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 Brookfield is $79,642 ( 123.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,502, experienced hygienists can earn up to $144,144.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,005
2025 BLS Actual
$62,849
2026 Current Est.
$64,502
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Brookfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,723 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,767 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,218 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,226 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,371 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,849 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,502 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,198 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Brookfield, WI grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,005 in 2019 to $62,849 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,198. New graduates entering the Brookfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookfield 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 Brookfield
In Brookfield, major employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are actively seeking entry-level talent through structured training and mentorship programs, often guiding engineers through the process of obtaining their PE licenses. State and federal agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also represent stable employment paths, offering government benefits and career development. To enhance their marketability, new grad civil engineers should focus on obtaining their EIT designation by passing the FE exam before graduation. The current infrastructure investment spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is creating a favorable hiring climate, with realistic growth expectations in salary during the first one to three years that can see new engineers moving beyond their initial pay structure into more substantial roles as they gain experience and certifications. The competitive arena in Brookfield combines the high-end consulting market with local firms, allowing for diverse experiences and accelerated career development.
More salary data for Brookfield, WI:
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 Brookfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookfield 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