Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Lander, WY: $67,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Lander, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,463 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lander's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,421 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($95,013) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates looking to start their careers in civil engineering in Lander, WY, can expect a starting civil engineer salary around $67,463 in 2026, reflecting the entry-level earnings typical for this position. This initial pay still leaves a notable gap from the city’s median salary of $95,013, indicating that there is room for growth within the early years of employment. As entry-level professionals gain experience, they can reasonably anticipate moving through the salary range toward the 25th percentile at $76,563 and eventually toward the median. Given a growth trajectory of 2.63% annually, Lander offers promising opportunities for new civil engineers to advance their careers, making it a viable market for fresh college graduates ready to dive into the professional world.
About the Lander Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lander
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 Lander
Entry-level civil engineers in Lander, WY typically start between $67,463 and $76,563 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $77,290 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $95,013 — 8.19% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wyoming of $42,000 represents just 62.26% of the starting civil engineer pay ($67,463/year) in Lander. 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 Lander
- 1Research the Lander market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $67,463 to $76,563, 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 Lander, 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 Lander for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lander'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 Lander is $77,290 ( 114.57%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,463, experienced hygienists can earn up to $144,753.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,346
2025 BLS Actual
$65,734
2026 Current Est.
$67,463
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lander (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,098 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,326 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,798 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,898 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,179 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,237 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Lander, WY grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,346 in 2019 to $65,734 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,237. New graduates entering the Lander job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lander 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 Lander
Employers across Lander are keen on recruiting new grads from reputable ABET-accredited programs, particularly firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which often have structured training pathways for entry-level engineers. State and federal agencies like the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also provide career tracks that are appealing to new graduates, offering stability and pension benefits. On the other hand, construction firms such as Bechtel and Fluor are more inclined towards field engineering roles, which can accelerate hands-on experience. To maximize starting civil engineer pay in WY, obtaining credentials such as the FE exam is crucial. This will allow new professionals to work towards their PE license, necessary for advancement in their careers. With ongoing infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, new engineers must strategically leverage local relationships while developing their credentials to facilitate steady salary growth in those formative years.
More salary data for Lander, 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 Lander. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lander 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