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Entry Level Civil Engineer Jobs in Modesto, CA (NOW HIRING)

S. in Civil, Environmental or related Engineering * Experience with hydraulic modeling and ArcGIS ... Our entry-level program comes together on a regular basis for professional development events and ...

Entry Level Civil Engineer information

See Modesto, CA salary details

$42.7K

$77.6K

$127.7K

How much do entry level civil engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level civil engineer in Modesto, CA is $77,572.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,900.00 and $93,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Entry Level Civil Engineer Do?

An entry-level civil engineer performs a variety of duties related to designing and constructing infrastructure or public works systems, such as public buildings, highways, bridges, sewer systems, dams, viaducts, and other large structures. As an entry-level engineer, you help draft blueprints, take surveys of building sites, perform risk analysis, map projects, and perform research into public records and other documents pertaining to the project. You may also help draw up budgets and assess the costs of projects. You typically work under the supervision of lead engineers and project managers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Civil Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Civil Engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, strong analytical skills, and foundational knowledge of engineering principles. Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software, civil engineering modeling tools, and basic project management systems is typically required. Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help you stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for accurately designing infrastructure, collaborating with diverse project teams, and ensuring projects are completed safely and efficiently.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an Entry Level Civil Engineer expect during their first year on the job?

As an Entry Level Civil Engineer, you will typically assist with tasks such as drafting design plans, preparing reports, conducting field inspections, and supporting senior engineers on larger projects. Early on, you may work on site development, transportation, or water resources projects, helping with data collection, calculations, and creating construction documents. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including surveyors, architects, and contractors—is common, and you’ll likely be mentored by experienced engineers to build your technical and project management skills. This exposure provides a solid foundation for career growth and deeper involvement in project coordination over time.

What is the difference between Entry Level Civil Engineer vs Civil Engineering Technician?

AspectEntry Level Civil EngineerCivil Engineering Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in civil engineering or related fieldAssociate's degree or technical diploma in civil engineering technology
Work EnvironmentDesign, planning, project management, site supervisionAssisting engineers with surveying, drafting, and data collection
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, construction companies, government agenciesConstruction firms, consulting firms, public works departments

Entry Level Civil Engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree and focus on design, planning, and project management, while Civil Engineering Technicians usually have an associate degree and support engineers with technical tasks like surveying and drafting. Both roles are essential in civil projects but differ in education requirements and daily responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Civil Engineer jobs in Modesto, CA? The most popular types of Civil Engineer jobs in Modesto, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs in Modesto, CA? For Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs in Modesto, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs in Modesto, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs in Modesto, CA are:
What cities near Modesto, CA are hiring for Entry Level Civil Engineer jobs? Cities near Modesto, CA with the most Entry Level Civil Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Civil Engineer job openings in Modesto, CA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $77,572 per year, or $37.3 per hour.
Entry Level Water/ Wastewater Engineer

Entry Level Water/ Wastewater Engineer

Dewberry

Manteca, CA

$82.42K - $84.92K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Dewberry rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Dewberry is currently seeking an Entry Level Water/Wastewater Engineer to help execute municipal water and wastewater projects in our Manteca, CA business unit.  This is an excellent opportunity for a talented individual to join a team of outstanding professionals.  This position offers potential for professional growth in a great working environment and the opportunity to apply the latest technology to help our clients solve their most challenging problems. 

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors is our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.


The right candidate will be engaged in;

  • Design of water and wastewater pipeline, conveyance and or treatment facilities for both new construction, assessment, and rehabilitation/replacement projects
  • Development, evaluation, and preparation of construction drawings and specifications
  • Preparing technical reports
  • Meeting and corresponding with clients
  • Providing marketing support
  • Performing engineering calculations for water/wastewater projects

  • B.S. in Civil, Environmental or related Engineering
  • Experience with hydraulic modeling and ArcGIS is a plus
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required
  • Proficiency in Microsoft office
  • Must be able to work in a team environment and possess excellent interpersonal skills

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Dewberry we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees. So if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the position description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other opportunities.

The projected range for this position is $82,420 - $84,920 annually. Depending upon other factors, i.e., skills, experience, location, market conditions, the range may vary slightly.

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.

Notice to Third Party Recruiters:  Dewberry only compensates job placement recruiters that have a valid Dewberry-approved written agreement in place for recruiting services. Dewberry does not compensate third party recruiters for unsolicited job placement candidate information.


Entry-Level Class Program

As an entry-level hire, you’ll be part of a class of peers with 0-1 year of professional experience. Our entry-level program comes together on a regular basis for professional development events and team building activities led by an advisory team to:

  • Form lasting connections with peers in your class.
  • Gain a better understanding of career growth and meaningful opportunities to align with your professional goals.
  • Expand your knowledge of Dewberry and what we do.

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