Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $71,318 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Fond du Lac, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,318 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fond du Lac's local price level (BEA RPP 91.6 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,822 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($85,049) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field of civil engineering in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the starting civil engineer salary is projected at $71,318 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $85,049, indicating that new engineers may encounter a substantial gap as they establish their careers. However, there is a clear growth trajectory in the first few years, allowing early-career professionals to realistically expect their earnings to increase from the P10 level to the P25 marker of $74,263, before eventually reaching the median. Given the favorable job outlook in Fond du Lac, particularly with ongoing infrastructure projects fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this city presents a viable market for fresh civil engineering graduates looking to get their start in the industry.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fond du Lac
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 Fond du Lac
Entry-level civil engineers in Fond du Lac, WI typically start between $71,318 and $74,263 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $56,631 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $85,049 — 17.82% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 77.12% of the starting civil engineer pay ($71,318/year) in Fond du Lac. 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 Fond du Lac
- 1Research the Fond du Lac market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $71,318 to $74,263, 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 Fond du Lac, 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 Fond du Lac for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fond du Lac'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 Fond du Lac is $56,631 ( 79.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,318, experienced hygienists can earn up to $127,949.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,030
2025 BLS Actual
$69,490
2026 Current Est.
$71,318
2019–2027 Growth
+103.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,318 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,193 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Fond du Lac, WI grew 92.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,030 in 2019 to $69,490 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,193. New graduates entering the Fond du Lac job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac
Prospective employers in Fond du Lac that welcome new talent in civil engineering include prominent consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which often feature structured training programs for newly minted engineers. State and federal agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide stable career paths with government benefits. Additionally, construction organizations like Bechtel and Fluor may offer opportunities for field-oriented roles. Gaining credentials like the EIT designation by passing the FE exam can boost early salary potential, while pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) enhances career prospects over time. Over the initial years, salaries are expected to rise steadily, providing new engineers in Fond du Lac with room for growth as they navigate their progression toward more senior positions.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, 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 Fond du Lac. 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