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Civil engineer salary: What can you expect as a recent graduate?

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Ready to get paid for your knowledge? As a newly graduated MSc in Engineering, it’s time to turn five years of study into a salary that matches your skills. Here’s an overview of what you can realistically expect – and what you have every reason to negotiate for.

Table of Contents

Salary levels for newly graduated engineers
A long higher education with great responsibility
Securing a fair salary as an engineer
Salary differences between the sectors
Working in Denmark
Job opportunities are plentiful for MSc engineers
Considering a Master?

IDA's Salary Calculator

Salary level for a newly graduated engineer: The technical foundation of IDA’s Salary Calculator

It’s important to note that all salary figures in this article are based on averages for employees in the private sector, and the numbers should only be seen as a guideline for what the average newly graduated student with a Master of Science in Engineering can expect in terms of salary.

Additionally, it’s no secret that the private sector often offers higher salaries than the public sector. However, in the public sector, you should be aware of other factors that may affect your salary, such as whether your salary includes pension contributions. If you work in the public sector, you will typically be covered by a collective agreement that offers a very good pension.

The expected salary in this article is calculated using IDA’s salary calculator. IDA’s salary calculator is based on a specific industry and geographic area, which the salary is adjusted according to. It also uses IDA’s salary statistics, which are collected annually from privately employed members and self-employed individuals. These figures are projected with a 2.0% annual increase, corresponding to the development in IDA’s recommended starting salary. If you have a Master of Science in Engineering, you can expect an average starting salary of DKK 48,000 nationwide in 2025.

Below, we present the development in average salary from 2024–2026 at a private workplace for a Master of Science in Engineering within the education track and desired industry “All” – both in Zealand and Central Jutland, as salaries vary accordingly.

IDA's Salary Calculator IDA's Salary Statistics

Pige med brunt hår og i jeans står ses nedefra på en aktivitetsbane

Graduate 2024

Average salary for new graduates in Zealand: DKK 48,000.

Average salary for new graduates in central Jutland: DKK 45,000.

Try it yourself

Graduate 2025

Average salary for new graduates in Zealand: DKK 49,500.

Average salary for new graduates in central Jutland: DKK 46,500.

Try it yourself

Graduate 2026

Average salary for new graduates in Zealand: DKK 51,000.

Average salary for new graduates in central Jutland: DKK 48,000.

Try it yourself

The statistics show that graduates generally achieve the recommended starting salaries suggested by IDA.
Over the past three years, the average salary for a newly graduated employee in the private sector has exceeded the year’s recommended minimum salary.

Source: IDA Salary Statistics, 2024

Long-cycle higher education with significant responsibility

As a Master of Science in Engineering, you have completed a long-cycle higher education, which is reflected in your salary. IDA’s salary statistics show that newly graduated MSc engineers generally start with a higher average salary than BSc engineers, and that salary growth is significant even in the first years of a new job.

This is due not only to the length of the education, but also to the fact that an MSc engineering degree is more theoretical and research-oriented than a BSc engineering degree, which is much more practical and application-focused.

In general, MSc engineers work on highly complex projects, carry great responsibility, and possess technical skills that are in high demand in the job market.

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To unge mennesker står overfor hinanden på en aktivitetsbane i godt vejr

Get a fair salary as an engineer: How to negotiate with your employer

As a newly graduated engineer entering the job market, it’s important to know your rights and tools so you can secure a fair salary.

Each year, IDA sets a recommended minimum salary for all engineers, which you as a recent graduate can use as a benchmark in your salary negotiation. The recommended minimum salary takes into account your education level and role, ensuring that you receive the salary you deserve based on your qualifications.

A good salary negotiation doesn’t have to be just about numbers. It can also be beneficial to focus on your personal value, such as your education, technical skills, and the responsibilities you take on in your daily work. You might also want to focus on pension, vacation, and flexibility, all of which can significantly impact your overall working life.

If you need help, you can take the interactive salary negotiation course, which prepares you to be well-argued and well-prepared for your salary discussion.

Interactive course: First salary negotiation IDA's Salary Statistic

Salary differences between the private and public sector for civil engineers

As an MSc engineer, you have the opportunity to work in both the private and public sectors. And there are typically relatively large differences in salary.

The private sector

MSc engineers in the private sector generally earn more than their counterparts in the public sector. Many therefore choose the private sector, where salaries reflect both the length of the education and the high professional level.

Here, engineers typically work with software, electronics, and technology – all areas marked by innovation and high demand. The private sector also typically offers better employee benefits and greater flexibility for career development.

In addition, decision-making processes are often shorter and there is greater opportunity to influence the direction and content of projects, making the sector attractive to engineers who seek professional growth and influence in their work.

The public sector

In contrast to the private sector, MSc engineers are less represented in the public sector, which generally offers fewer technology-heavy positions and has more fixed salary structures.

The public sector typically provides more stable conditions and can be attractive to newly graduated MSc engineers who want a salaried career with a focus on areas such as green transition, society, and long-term projects.

This can be worth considering when applying for your first job. No matter where you start your career, it’s a good idea to know the salary level for your field. Here, you can always use IDA’s guidance to ensure a fair salary.

Personal career advice

Working in Denmark as a Biomedical Graduate – what to expect

As an international graduate in Biomedicine, navigating the Danish labour market can be both exciting and challenging. While Denmark offers competitive salaries, strong employee rights, and a flexible work culture, many entry-level jobs require experience beyond your academic studies. This means that short-term unemployment after graduation is not uncommon.

However, Denmark’s flexicurity model ensures that you’re supported during transitions between jobs, and the flat workplace structure gives you early responsibility and influence.

The Danish labour market

Job opportunities are plentiful for MSc engineers

As an MSc engineer, you have access to a broad job market where your technical skills can be applied in many ways. You can work with everything from software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to energy optimization, sustainable construction, robotics, and biotechnology. There are also opportunities in transport, environmental technology, product development, automation, and consulting – both in Denmark and internationally.

Unge studerende står i hvide kitler og med sikkerhedsbriller og laver forsøg udenfor

As an MSc engineer, you’re not limited by national borders. On the contrary, your education opens up a wide range of international opportunities. You could, for example, work in software development for global tech companies, contribute to sustainable energy projects in Europe, or help develop infrastructure in rapidly growing cities around the world.

Many MSc engineers start their careers in the private sector, where there is high demand for specialized knowledge and the ability to solve complex technical challenges. There are also exciting opportunities in the public sector, where the focus is typically on green transition, infrastructure, research, and societal development.

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Considering studying for a Master of Science in Engineering?

Are you not already studying, but reading along because you’re considering a Master of Science in Engineering?

If you’re thinking about pursuing an MSc in Engineering, it’s an advantage if you’re curious about technology, good at math and science, and generally enjoy solving complex problems. You should be able to think analytically, work in a structured way, and be motivated to develop solutions that can make a difference in the world. It’s a degree for those who want to combine theory and practice and work with everything from sustainable energy and software development to biotechnology, robotics, or construction.

The MSc in Engineering program consists of a three-year bachelor’s degree and a two-year master’s degree. In the bachelor’s program, you gain a solid technical and scientific foundation, with both core courses and the opportunity to choose subjects that match your interests. In the master’s program, you typically specialize in a specific field and complete a master’s thesis – often in collaboration with a company. The teaching is research-based, and you’ll be close to the latest technology and knowledge in your area.

You can study for an MSc in Engineering at several universities in Denmark, including:

DTU (Technical University of Denmark)

Aalborg University (AAU)

University of Southern Denmark (SDU)

Aarhus University (AU)

No matter where in the country you choose to study, as an MSc engineering student you’ll receive an education with strong job prospects, high academic standards, and the opportunity to shape your own professional path. If you’re ready to combine theory and practice and want to work on solutions that make a difference, the MSc in Engineering is a great choice.

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