Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Mount Pleasant, WI: $63,519 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Mount Pleasant, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,519 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mount Pleasant's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,007 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($96,729) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, can expect an entry-level salary starting around $63,519. This figure is significantly below the city’s median annual salary for civil engineers, which stands at $96,729, reflecting a gap that new engineers will need to navigate. However, there are positive growth trajectories from this initial pay; as experience accumulates over the first few years, salaries will likely rise to the 25th percentile at $80,153 within that timeframe. Mount Pleasant currently presents a stable market for entry-level engineers, bolstered by ongoing infrastructure initiatives, which promisingly influences entry-level roles and enhances career progression in the area.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mount Pleasant
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 Mount Pleasant
Entry-level civil engineers in Mount Pleasant, WI typically start between $63,519 and $80,153 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $84,379 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $96,729 — 6.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 86.59% of the starting civil engineer pay ($63,519/year) in Mount Pleasant. 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 Mount Pleasant
- 1Research the Mount Pleasant market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $63,519 to $80,153, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mount Pleasant'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 Mount Pleasant is $84,379 ( 132.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,519, experienced hygienists can earn up to $147,898.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,227
2025 BLS Actual
$61,891
2026 Current Est.
$63,519
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,227 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,935 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,916 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,361 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,338 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,383 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,519 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,189 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Mount Pleasant, WI grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,227 in 2019 to $61,891 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,189. New graduates entering the Mount Pleasant job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant
Top employers in Mount Pleasant for recent civil engineering graduates include major consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, known for their structured training programs which facilitate the transition from education to professional practice. Additionally, state Departments of Transportation and federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offer stable government positions with long-term benefits. Construction companies, while needing field-engineering roles, provide faster project ownership opportunities, though they often lack the formal training programs found in larger firms. Related credentials, such as passing the FE exam during senior year to secure an Engineer in Training (EIT) designation, can significantly bolster starting compensation. The current demand for civil engineers, driven by robust infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, sets realistic expectations for salary growth in the first few years, particularly as professionals seek to obtain their Professional Engineer (PE) license. Mastery of these credentials is essential for advancement into senior roles and can result in tangible career benefits in this field.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mount Pleasant 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