Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Gillette, WY: $66,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Gillette, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,143 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Gillette's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,043 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($93,929) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Gillette, Wyoming, the starting civil engineer salary is projected at $66,143 in 2026, a figure that aligns closely with entry-level expectations in the profession. While this initial salary is significantly below the city's median annual pay of $93,929, early-career engineers can anticipate growth over time. As they gain experience, salaries can increase from the entry-level P10 mark through to the P25 estimate of $75,333 and eventually toward the median. With an annual growth rate of 2.63%, Gillette presents a favorable job market for new civil engineering graduates eager to launch their careers in an area experiencing steady demand, particularly fueled by ongoing infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
About the Gillette Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Gillette
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 Gillette
Entry-level civil engineers in Gillette, WY typically start between $66,143 and $75,333 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,447 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $93,929 — 9.24% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wyoming of $42,000 represents just 63.50% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,143/year) in Gillette. 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 Gillette
- 1Research the Gillette market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,143 to $75,333, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Gillette, 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 Gillette for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Gillette'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 Gillette is $79,447 ( 120.11%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,143, experienced hygienists can earn up to $145,590.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,303
2025 BLS Actual
$64,448
2026 Current Est.
$66,143
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Gillette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,303 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,039 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,185 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,707 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,448 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,883 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Gillette, WY grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,303 in 2019 to $64,448 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,883. New graduates entering the Gillette job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gillette 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 Gillette
New engineers in Gillette should consider various employers that actively recruit entry-level candidates, including large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, as well as government agencies such as the state Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These organizations often have structured training programs that prepare new hires for future roles, while construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor offer field positions that provide practical experience. Earning credentials, such as passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to obtain the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation, can significantly enhance starting pay and open doors for future advancement. Additionally, pursuing Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is essential for career progression into senior positions or management roles. In the first few years, realistic salary growth options exist for engineers based on experience and additional credentials, positioning them well within the competitive landscape of Gillette's civil engineering job market.
More salary data for Gillette, WY:
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 Gillette. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gillette 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