upper level job

Construction Project Engineer - Entry Salary in the United States

How much does a Construction Project Engineer - Entry make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Construction Project Engineer - Entry in the United States is $86,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Construction Project Engineer - Entry's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $98,327
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,900 to $92,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,434

Key Factors That Influence Construction Project Engineer - Entry Salaries

A Construction Project Engineer - Entry's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Construction Project Engineer - Entries

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $108,600
  • San Francisco: $107,400
  • Oakland: $105,100

What Skills Can Increase a Construction Project Engineer - Entry's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.92% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • RFI (Mentioned in 2.78% Job Postings): A RFI (request for information) is a common business process whose purpose is to collect written information about the capabilities of various suppliers.
  • Land Development (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Land development is the alteration of landscape in any number of ways such as: Changing landforms from a natural or semi-natural state for a purpose
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.92%
RFI 2.78%
Land Development 1.41%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Construction Project Engineer - Entry's salary.

  • Electrical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Project Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • RFI: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Electrical Engineering $95,571
11%
Project Engineering $92,988
8%
RFI $92,988
8%

Construction Project Engineer - Entry Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Construction Project Engineer - Entry salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,441. While startup companies pay approximate $79,338.

Construction Project Engineer - Entry Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,338
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,830
Established 501~5000 $90,287
Enterprise 5000+ $93,441

Construction Project Engineer - Entry Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Construction Project Engineer - Entry roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Construction Project Engineer - Entry positions in MFG Durable or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Construction Project Engineer - Entry as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Construction Project Engineer - Entry

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$111,930$54.030%
Energy & Utilities$103,320$50.020%

How Education impacts a Construction Project Engineer - Entry's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Construction Project Engineer - Entries enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Construction Project Engineer - Entry with a Associate's Degree is between $79,819 and $89,599).

Construction Project Engineer - Entry Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Construction Project Engineer - Entry
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 3.4%
Associates 4.5%
Bachelors 75.3%
Masters 16.6%
Doctorate 0.0%

Construction Project Engineer - Entry Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Construction Project Engineer - Entry's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$77,900
Average $86,100/year
$92,500
$6,492
Average $7,175/month
$7,708
$1,498
Average $1,656/week
$1,779
$37
Average $41/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,500 $7,708 $1,779 $44
Average $86,100 $7,175 $1,656 $41
25th Percentile $77,900 $6,492 $1,498 $37

Construction Project Engineer - Entry Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Construction Project Engineer - Entry, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Construction Project Engineer - Intermediate role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $101,000 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Construction Project Engineer - Entry

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Construction Project Engineer - Entry

Here are companies hiring for Construction Project Engineer - Entry and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Construction Project Engineer - Entry Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Construction Project Engineer - Entry job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Construction Project Engineer - Entry

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Construction Project Engineer - Entry?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Construction Project Engineer - Entry roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What do project engineers do?

Project engineers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing construction projects from inception to completion. They ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to specifications. In entry-level positions, salaries typically range from $74,300 to $105,700, with a median salary of $91,300, reflecting the importance of their role in the construction industry.

3. Can you make 500k as an engineer?

Yes, but not all construction project engineers will reach that level of compensation. Entry-level positions typically offer salaries ranging from $74,300 to $105,700. To achieve higher earnings, one might need to gain experience, take on leadership roles, or work for high-growth companies that offer significant bonuses and equity.

4. What is the next position after project engineer?

Career paths a project engineer can pursue include senior project engineer, project manager, project director, and consultant. As a senior project engineer, you would lead and mentor teams, with a salary ranging from $74,300 to $105,700. A project manager oversees the overall planning and execution of projects, earning between $91,300 and $105,700.

5. What is a Project Engineer salary holder construction?

The salary for a Construction Project Engineer ranges from $74,300 to $105,700, with a median salary of $91,300. This reflects the typical compensation for entry-level positions in the field, providing a competitive starting point for those entering the construction industry.

6. Is 75000 a good entry level salary?

Is $75,000 a year a good salary for an entry-level Construction Project Engineer? Yes, it is above the minimum salary of $74,300 and close to the mid-salary of $91,300. This amount is competitive and can provide a comfortable living, depending on your location and expenses. Overall, it's a solid starting point in the industry.

7. How much does an entry level project engineer make at Glassdoor?

The estimated total pay for an Entry Level Project Engineer typically ranges from $74,300 to $105,700 per year, with a median salary of around $91,300. These figures reflect the salary data for this position and provide a clearer picture of expected earnings in the field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst