Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Concord, NH: $75,504 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Concord, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,504 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Concord's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,367 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($105,816) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the civil engineering field in Concord, NH, can expect a starting civil engineer salary of approximately $75,504 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range, which can extend up to $164,014 for more experienced engineers. The median annual salary for civil engineers in Concord is projected at $105,816, indicating a substantial gap for new entrants in the first years of their careers. However, as early-career professionals progress, the potential for salary growth is favorable, moving from the entry-level range to the 25th percentile at around $85,600 within the first few years. Given the ongoing infrastructure investment driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Concord presents a promising market for new civil engineering graduates looking to establish themselves.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Concord
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 Concord
Entry-level civil engineers in Concord, NH typically start between $75,504 and $85,600 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,510 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $105,816 — 2.25% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in New Hampshire of $72,000 represents just 95.36% of the starting civil engineer pay ($75,504/year) in Concord. 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 Concord
- 1Research the Concord market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $75,504 to $85,600, 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 NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Concord, 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 Concord for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Concord'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 Concord is $88,510 ( 117.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,504, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,014.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,705
2025 BLS Actual
$73,569
2026 Current Est.
$75,504
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,705 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,546 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,278 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,807 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,157 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,569 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,504 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,490 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Concord, NH grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,705 in 2019 to $73,569 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,490. New graduates entering the Concord job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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 Concord
In Concord, several employers actively recruit entry-level civil engineers, including large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which are known for their structured training programs for Engineers-in-Training (EITs). Additionally, state departments of transportation and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide government career opportunities with benefits like pensions, while construction firms may offer field roles focusing on practical, hands-on experience. To enhance their employability and starting pay, graduates should consider obtaining their Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification during their senior year, followed by pursuing a Professional Engineer (PE) license after gaining the required supervisory experience. Given the competitive nature of the job market and potential paths to higher roles in the future, recent graduates should aim to secure essential credentials while focusing on building relationships within the industry to capitalize on local opportunities for professional growth in the next three years.
More salary data for Concord, NH:
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 Concord. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord 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