Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in College Park, MD: $73,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the College Park, MD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,589 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out College Park's local price level (BEA RPP 109.3 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,328 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($110,421) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the civil engineering field in College Park, Maryland, can anticipate a starting civil engineer salary in the vicinity of $73,589 in 2026. While this figure is significantly below the area median salary of $110,421, it represents a realistic starting point for many recent graduates looking to establish themselves in this competitive market. Over the course of the first few years in the profession, salaries are expected to rise progressively, with early-career professionals moving toward the 25th percentile earning around $85,826. Given the positive employment outlook fueled by ongoing infrastructure initiatives, such as those backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, College Park positioned itself as a viable market for aspiring civil engineers right now.
About the College Park Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in College Park
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 College Park
Entry-level civil engineers in College Park, MD typically start between $73,589 and $85,826 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $97,563 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $110,421 — 6.7% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Maryland of $68,000 represents just 92.41% of the starting civil engineer pay ($73,589/year) in College Park. 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 College Park
- 1Research the College Park market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $73,589 to $85,826, 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 MD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in College Park, 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 College Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5College Park'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 College Park is $97,563 ( 132.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,589, experienced hygienists can earn up to $171,152.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,190
2025 BLS Actual
$71,703
2026 Current Est.
$73,589
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in College Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,623 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,138 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,036 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,703 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,524 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in College Park, MD grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,190 in 2019 to $71,703 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,524. New graduates entering the College Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Park 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 College Park
Employers in College Park that frequently hire new graduates include major consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which offer structured training pipelines that help engineers transition smoothly into their careers. State and federal agencies, such as USACE, provide stable government roles, while companies like Bechtel and Fluor often seek entry-level engineers for field positions. With credentials like an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree, passing the FE exam for EIT designation, and eventually pursuing PE licensure, new engineers can enhance their starting pay and career trajectory. The infrastructure sector continues to thrive, indicating strong upward mobility for early-career professionals. In their initial years, engineers should expect steady salary growth as they gain experience and work toward obtaining their PE license, which serves as a key credential for advancing to senior positions in the industry.
More salary data for College Park, MD:
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 College Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for College Park 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