Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Oak Creek, WI: $66,580 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Oak Creek, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,580 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oak Creek's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,285 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,117) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the starting civil engineer salary appears promising, with entry-level positions projected to begin around $66,580 in 2026. While this initial salary may seem low compared to the median annual salary of $92,117 for the profession in the area, it offers a solid foundation for growth. Over the first three to five years of their careers, new civil engineers can expect to advance through the salary spectrum, reaching the 25th percentile at approximately $75,146 and potentially moving toward the median as they gain experience and skills. Overall, Oak Creek presents a favorable job market for recent graduates, as the demand for civil engineers aligns with ongoing infrastructure initiatives and local projects.
About the Oak Creek Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oak Creek
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 Oak Creek
Entry-level civil engineers in Oak Creek, WI typically start between $66,580 and $75,146 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $76,201 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,117 — 10.99% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 82.61% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,580/year) in Oak Creek. 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 Oak Creek
- 1Research the Oak Creek market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,580 to $75,146, 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 Oak Creek, 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 Oak Creek for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oak Creek'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 Oak Creek is $76,201 ( 114.45%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,580, experienced hygienists can earn up to $142,781.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,648
2025 BLS Actual
$64,874
2026 Current Est.
$66,580
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Oak Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,648 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,563 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,029 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,102 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,262 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,874 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,580 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,331 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Oak Creek, WI grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,648 in 2019 to $64,874 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,331. New graduates entering the Oak Creek job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Creek 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 Oak Creek
A variety of employers in Oak Creek actively seek newly minted civil engineers, providing excellent pathways into the profession. Consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are among the significant recruiters of entry-level talent, often offering structured training programs aimed at professional licensure. State Departments of Transportation and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also present stable career opportunities, typically featuring pensions. In contrast, construction firms such as Bechtel and Fluor tend to focus on field-engineering roles that may require a different skill set. New graduates looking to enhance their starting pay in Wisconsin should consider obtaining an EIT designation by passing the FE exam during their senior year, as well as pursuing continued education towards their PE license, which serves as a critical milestone for career advancement. Given the current infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, new civil engineers can realistically anticipate salary growth, often seeing an increase in their earnings as they transition into roles with greater responsibility and mentorship opportunities.
More salary data for Oak Creek, 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 Oak Creek. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Creek 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