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Entry Level Water Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Water Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$29.2K

$67.4K

$114.7K

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

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level water engineer in Raleigh, NC is $67,425.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,100.00 and $76,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Entry Level Water Engineer job?

An Entry Level Water Engineer is a professional who helps design, develop, and maintain water-related infrastructure, such as water supply systems, wastewater treatment plants, and stormwater management solutions. They work under the supervision of senior engineers to conduct research, analyze data, prepare reports, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Their role often involves site visits, computer modeling, and collaboration with clients, government agencies, and contractors. This position is ideal for recent graduates with a background in civil or environmental engineering who want to specialize in water resources and sustainability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Entry Level Water Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Water Engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or water resources engineering, along with a solid understanding of hydrology and hydraulics principles. Familiarity with technical tools such as AutoCAD, GIS software, and water modeling programs like EPANET is highly valuable, and having an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification can be advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective written and verbal communication skills help you excel in team-based project environments. These competencies are critical to ensure accuracy, safety, and compliance in designing and maintaining sustainable water systems.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, often with advanced skills, certifications, and leadership roles. Entry-level water engineers typically earn significantly less, with salaries increasing with experience, project scope, and additional responsibilities.

Is 40 too late to be an engineer?

Entry level water engineering positions are open to individuals of various ages, and starting a career at 40 is possible with relevant education, such as a degree in environmental or civil engineering, and skills like data analysis and knowledge of water systems. Many engineers successfully transition careers later in life, and experience can be an asset in the field.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most entry-level water engineers earn significantly less, senior or specialized engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership roles in large organizations can potentially reach or exceed a $500,000 annual salary. High earnings are often associated with consulting, project management, or working in high-cost-of-living areas with complex projects.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Entry Level Water Engineer?

As an Entry Level Water Engineer, your day-to-day tasks often include assisting with the design and analysis of water distribution systems, preparing technical reports, conducting site visits, and supporting senior engineers with project planning and data collection. You may also use modeling software to simulate water system behaviors and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including environmental scientists and construction professionals, is a key part of the role. This variety of responsibilities provides valuable hands-on experience and helps you develop practical skills essential for career advancement in water engineering.

Are water engineers in demand?

Water engineers are in demand due to ongoing needs for water infrastructure, environmental protection, and water resource management. The role often requires knowledge of environmental regulations, engineering software, and sometimes certifications like PE, making it a stable career choice with growth prospects in the engineering and environmental sectors.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Water Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Entry Level Water Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Water Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Water Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Entry Level Water Engineer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Entry Level Water Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Water Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 80% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $67,425 per year, or $32.4 per hour.
Transportation Construction Inspector (Entry-Level)

Transportation Construction Inspector (Entry-Level)

HDR

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


HDR rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 55 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 355 rated engineering


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe construction services are more than project delivery, they're about safeguarding quality, safety, and trust at every step. As part of HDR's Field Services team, you'll be on the front lines of infrastructure development, making sure that what's designed is built to the highest standards. From highways and bridges to water treatment plants, transit systems, and power facilities, your work ensures that our clients' visions become reality, with precision, integrity, and excellence. Our construction professionals; Construction Managers, Inspectors, Resident Engineers, and field specialists bring deep technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and a commitment to quality that sets industry benchmarks. Your contributions are critical to delivering successful, resilient infrastructure. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead in the field, uphold the highest standards, and leave a legacy of quality that communities can rely on for generations. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
HDR is looking for an Entry Level Construction Inspectorto join our North Carolina Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) team to perform construction engineering and inspection duties on highway and bridge construction projects utilizing NCDOT policies and procedures. Work will include materials testing, construction observation, and reporting. This position will be trained to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications and be able to identify discrepancies or conflicts within the documents as well as enforcement of these contract documents.
Preferred Qualifications
  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Strong written and communication skills
  • Ability to work independently or as part of a team
  • Able to travel to meetings, site visits, and inspections
  • Must be licensed to operate motor vehicles in accordance with applicable state law
  • NCDOT experience
  • Tech school degree
  • Local candidates are preferred
  • *LI-SM1

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • High School diploma or equivalent
  • Experience in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Strong written communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • This position typically requires successfully passing drug-screening procedures prior to being hired; thereafter subject to random and cause drug and alcohol testing
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

What HDR employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917