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CITY Median Income
1. Syracuse,New York US$121,950
2. Brazoria, Texas US$113,440
3. Houston,Texas US$108,500
4. San Jose, California US$105,000
5. Santa Fe, New Mexico US$ 105,000
6. Jersey City, NJ US$ 104,750
7. Lowell, Mass/N.H US$103,500
8. Oakland,Calif US$ 103,000
9.Trenton,N.J. US$101,355
10.Portsmouth,
Rocehester,NH/Maine US$100,650
I'm partial to St. Louis myself. From my understanding, St. Louis is somewhat similar to Pittsburgh in cost of living, and St. Louis has a growing Downtown and some vibrant neighborhoods. However, St. Louis is not on that list of best cities for civil engineering jobs.
You said No Northeast or West coast, so that cuts out everything except Texas and maybe NM (not sure if you consider it West Coast) on that list.
Below average I think, but certainly enough to live comfortably.
According to this site, the cost of living in St. Louis is almost exactly what it is in Pittsburgh.
If you made $63,000 in St. Louis:
Quote:
The cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA is 0.3% higher than in St. Louis, MO Therefore, you would have to earn a salary of $63,198 to maintain your current standard of living.
But you're likely to make less in Pittsburgh
Quote:
Employers in Pittsburgh, PA typically pay 3.5% less than employers in St. Louis, MO. Therefore, if you take the same type of job in the same type of company in Pittsburgh, PA you are likely to earn $60,783
WOW! STLCardsBlue1989. Thank you so much for all of that information. It's really appreciated! And no. What I consider to be West Coast is California, Oregon, Washington...
I'm assuming that you live there yourself in St. Louis. I've heard that it has a high crime rate. It that true? I've never been there so I don't really know anything about it. Hah. I only know that that's where the "St. Louis" Arch is. lol
I've been to and in a lot worse places. I'm not a big city person, but visiting larger cities from here is pretty convenient (the truckers have figured that out too). There's woods around we can get out to. The economy is better than most places, even now someone posted info about being in the top 20 economically of the 100 largest metros (I was a little surprised to learn this is one of the 100 largest metros but they may have combined it with Lancaster and York as the Nielsen market is, #46 I think). I hear it's gotten better for young people for entertainment, though coming from Pittsburgh it's probably pretty laughable in that respect. There's plenty of Western PA transplants hereabouts. You can even get a Master's degree night school at the local Penn State campus (I did that too). So far after 11 years here I haven't had trouble staying employed. Between local land development stuff, and being near PENNDOT and DEP central per capita employment for civil engineers must be higher here than average.
Wow. that's a bit of cool information! Perhaps I'll look into Harrisburg for when I get whatever it is that makes me want to get out of here for awhile out of my system.
WOW! STLCardsBlue1989. Thank you so much for all of that information. It's really appreciated! And no. What I consider to be West Coast is California, Oregon, Washington...
I'm assuming that you live there yourself in St. Louis. I've heard that it has a high crime rate. It that true? I've never been there so I don't really know anything about it. Hah. I only know that that's where the "St. Louis" Arch is. lol
I don't live in St. Louis. I live a few hours away. I do love the city, though.
From my understanding, St. Louis crime varies considerably by neighborhood. Much of the north side has high crime rates, however there are great neighborhoods like Soulard, Lafayette Park, Central West End, Downtown, Dogtown, The Hill, Tower Grove South, Tower Grove East, Southhampton, Holly Hills, Carondelet, St. Louis Hills, and a few more that have (from my understanding) relatively low crime rates. That said, it's a city. Even the safest neighborhood will have the occasional car break-in, but I'm sure it's the same in Pittsburgh. No city is Mayberry.
From what I've seen and heard, you'll be okay in a lot of neighborhoods. There are some neighborhoods that are fine, and some to avoid. If you are interested, you can post in the St. Louis forum here. http://www.city-data.com/forum/st-louis/
There are three colleges in St. Louis, one in the city, one that straddles the city, and one in North St. Louis County. So, I would think there would be a decent-sized 20-something population.
Civil engineering is a little hard to break into because many of the employers are small firms that want you to get experience (and perhaps a P.E. license) somewhere else. They're also not too likely to pay relocation expenses. The land development design sector is the most likely to be hiring right out of school during the up times, or in the up places.
One good possibility to get started (worked for me coming out of Syracuse two recessions ago, with paid relocation) might be the federal government. Check out USAJOBS - Search Jobs
I know several civil engineers working for county governments in California. I know you don't want Cali, but the county govt area might be a good place to look for a first job.
CITY Median Income
1. Syracuse,New York US$121,950
2. Brazoria, Texas US$113,440
3. Houston,Texas US$108,500
4. San Jose, California US$105,000
5. Santa Fe, New Mexico US$ 105,000
6. Jersey City, NJ US$ 104,750
7. Lowell, Mass/N.H US$103,500
8. Oakland,Calif US$ 103,000
9.Trenton,N.J. US$101,355
10.Portsmouth,
Rocehester,NH/Maine US$100,650
Wow, that's an eyepopping list. I'm glad you posted the source for that.
I should point out for the OP's sake the quotation that source gives right underneath that table (and the obligatory ad links):
Quote:
These numbers might look a little misleading because these numbers are not for fresh graduates with no experience as there is no way that they would be offered US$100k.
Also worthy of note is the source of the data, the ASCE Salary Survey. Being a member of ASCE I'm well aware that is a voluntary self-reporting tool from individuals, not by firms.
Consequently, these data should be used only accompanied by several large grains of salt!
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