Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Marshfield, WI: $63,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Marshfield, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,155 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Marshfield's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,618 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($91,025) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the civil engineering field in Marshfield, Wisconsin, can anticipate a starting salary of around $63,155 in 2026. This figure reflects the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level positions, with the median annual salary in the city reaching $91,025. For new civil engineers just beginning their careers, this gap suggests that there is ample opportunity for salary growth as they accrue experience. In particular, those who progress from the P10 range ($63,155) to the P25 level ($71,988) can expect to see their earning potential increase within their first few years in the workforce. Given the current job market and the projected 2.63% growth rate for civil engineering roles, Marshfield appears to offer a promising environment for recent graduates seeking entry-level opportunities.
About the Marshfield Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Marshfield
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 Marshfield
Entry-level civil engineers in Marshfield, WI typically start between $63,155 and $71,988 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $77,934 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $91,025 — 12.05% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 87.09% of the starting civil engineer pay ($63,155/year) in Marshfield. 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 Marshfield
- 1Research the Marshfield market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $63,155 to $71,988, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Marshfield, 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 Marshfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Marshfield's below-average 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 Marshfield is $77,934 ( 123.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,155, experienced hygienists can earn up to $141,089.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,940
2025 BLS Actual
$61,537
2026 Current Est.
$63,155
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Marshfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,602 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,044 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,176 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,537 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,816 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Marshfield, WI grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,940 in 2019 to $61,537 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,816. New graduates entering the Marshfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshfield 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 Marshfield
In Marshfield, several prominent employers typically hire new graduates in civil engineering. Large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known for recruiting entry-level engineers and often provide structured Professional Engineer (PE) training pipelines, which can significantly enhance early-career pay. Additionally, state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, present government career tracks with benefits and stability, while construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor frequently look for field-engineering candidates. To maximize entrance salaries, graduates should consider obtaining credentials such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) designation and aim for PE licensure, which generally requires four years of supervised experience. With the ongoing increase in infrastructure spending due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, graduates should position themselves strategically for the first three years of their careers, focusing on gaining experience in reputable firms. Overall, the local market in WI suggests that new grad civil engineer pay can increase significantly during these formative years, especially as engineers pursue the necessary credentials to unlock advanced roles and salaries.
More salary data for Marshfield, WI:
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 Marshfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Marshfield 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