Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Menomonee Falls, WI: $64,630 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Menomonee Falls, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,630 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Menomonee Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,197 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,727) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering field, the projected entry-level salaries in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, offer a promising start in 2026. The initial pay for an entry-level civil engineer is typically around $64,630, which may seem modest compared to the city's median annual salary of $94,727. However, the substantial growth trajectory from this entry point, moving through approximately $74,737 and up towards the median, presents a realistic financial pathway during the first three to five years of a professional career. Given the ongoing demand from infrastructure projects fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Menomonee Falls appears to be a favorable market for new graduates seeking opportunities in civil engineering.
About the Menomonee Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Menomonee Falls
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 Menomonee Falls
Entry-level civil engineers in Menomonee Falls, WI typically start between $64,630 and $74,737 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $80,296 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,727 — 8.47% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 85.10% of the starting civil engineer pay ($64,630/year) in Menomonee Falls. 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 Menomonee Falls
- 1Research the Menomonee Falls market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $64,630 to $74,737, 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 Menomonee Falls, 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 Menomonee Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Menomonee Falls'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 Menomonee Falls is $80,296 ( 124.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,630, experienced hygienists can earn up to $144,926.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,106
2025 BLS Actual
$62,974
2026 Current Est.
$64,630
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Menomonee Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,106 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,826 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,341 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,483 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,974 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,630 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,330 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Menomonee Falls, WI grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,106 in 2019 to $62,974 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,330. New graduates entering the Menomonee Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls
Several employers in Menomonee Falls actively recruit fresh civil engineering graduates, including prominent consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which offer structured training programs designed to develop entry-level talent. State and federal agencies, such as the Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide career pathways with attractive benefits and pensions. Alternatively, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor look for entry-level engineers to manage field operations. For those starting their careers, obtaining credentials such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) license during their senior year can enhance their marketability, potentially leading to higher starting pay. Moreover, initial positions often serve as stepping stones to earn the Professional Engineer (PE) license, a key requirement for advancement into senior roles. Given the competitive landscape, new graduates should expect salary growth of around 2.63% annually in their first few years, positioning themselves well for future increases in compensation as they develop their skills and gain experience in this thriving sector.
More salary data for Menomonee Falls, 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 Menomonee Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Menomonee Falls 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