Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer make in the United States?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer in the United States is $76,469 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,820
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,141 to $82,411
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,291
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View as table View as graph 25% $71,141 10% $66,291 90% $87,820 75% $82,411 $76,469 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $82,411 $6,868 $1,585 $40
Average $76,469 $6,372 $1,471 $37
25th Percentile $71,141 $5,928 $1,368 $34
Check out Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Entry Level Engineer

Insight Global - Columbus, OH

Entry Level Manufacturing Engineer

Optimal Inc. - Toledo, OH

Entry-Level Engineer

Reliance One - Toledo, OH

Structural Design Engineer - Entry Level

Thorson Baker & Associates Inc. - Richfield, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Salaries

An Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $76,032
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,580
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,511
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $127,088
  • Expert (over 8 years): $151,799
Levels Salary
Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer$76,032
Civil Eng... Level Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer$92,580
Civil Eng... Level Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer$108,511
Civil Eng... Level Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer$127,088
Civil Eng... Level Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer$151,799
$76,032 0 yr
$92,580 < 2 yrs
$108,511 2-4 yrs
$127,088 5-8 yrs
$151,799 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineers

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: $96,451
  • San Francisco: $95,395
  • Oakland: $93,384

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.8% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Equipment Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.69% Job Postings): Keeping business equipment in reliable working order and condition to lessen downtime and assure equipment safety.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.8%
Equipment Maintenance 2.69%
CPR 1.6%
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 an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer's salary.
  • Process Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • CPR: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Analysis
$82,587
8%
CPR
$82,587
8%
Analysis
$81,057
6%
Innovation
$78,763
3%
Installation
$78,763
3%
Oral Communication
$78,763
3%
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How Education impacts an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineers 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 an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $73,720 and $78,018).

Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.8%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 71.6%
Masters 23.0%
Doctorate 1.6%
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Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer'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 June 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer

Salaries for an Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $76,606 in 2023 to around $75,194 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$76,606
2024
$75,653
2025
$75,194
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $76,606
2024 $75,653
2025 $75,194
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Entry Level Civil/Highway Engineer Job

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

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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.)

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