Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Racine, WI: $73,791 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Racine, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,791 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Racine's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,897 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($96,872) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Racine, Wisconsin can expect an entry-level civil engineer salary in the range of $73,791 to around $96,872, the latter being the city’s median annual salary. For those just starting, the projected pay might feel a bit below the city's average; however, with diligent effort and experience, new engineers can anticipate a gradual increase from the bottom of the salary range towards the median. Over the first three to five years, the realistic growth trajectory can shift from entry pay to more competitive salaries, making Racine a viable option for fresh graduates entering the workforce in civil engineering.
Career Earnings Timeline in Racine
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 Racine
Entry-level civil engineers in Racine, WI typically start between $73,791 and $74,468 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $65,776 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $96,872 — 6.4% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 74.53% of the starting civil engineer pay ($73,791/year) in Racine. 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 Racine
- 1Research the Racine market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $73,791 to $74,468, 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 Racine, 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 Racine for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Racine'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 Racine is $65,776 ( 89.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,791, experienced hygienists can earn up to $139,567.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,090
2025 BLS Actual
$71,900
2026 Current Est.
$73,791
2019–2027 Growth
+48.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,791 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,732 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Racine, WI grew 40.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,090 in 2019 to $71,900 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,732. New graduates entering the Racine job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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 Racine
Job opportunities for entry-level civil engineers in Racine include positions with large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which traditionally implement structured training programs for newly qualified engineers and offer pathways to Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Additionally, local construction companies may seek engineers for field-related roles, presenting a different but valuable experience. To enhance starting pay potential, obtaining credentials like the FE exam during the senior year can lead to an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation, which is often essential for advancing toward a PE license. Expectations for salary growth in the first couple of years should remain optimistic, especially with continued investment in infrastructure spurred by recent legislation, which sustains demand for entry-level positions across various sectors, including governmental roles with agencies like the USACE.
More salary data for Racine, 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 Racine. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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