Are you considering a civil engineering career in Massachusetts, or looking to benchmark your current engineering salary?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 598 civil engineering positions across Massachusetts to provide insights into the civil engineering salary landscape. This article details the civil engineer wage and Civil Engineer Salary in Massachusetts for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence civil engineering compensation as revealed by the data.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Massachusetts
The median Massachusetts civil engineer salary is $115,000 USD per year or $55.29 USD per hour. This figure significantly outpaces the national average and reflects Massachusetts’ position as a premium market for engineering talent.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineer Salaries
Required Educational Level
The data reveals a fascinating pattern that challenges conventional wisdom about advanced degrees in engineering. While a bachelor’s degree remains the most common requirement, pursuing a master’s degree can increase your earning potential by over 20%, with master’s degree holders earning $22,617 more annually than their bachelor’s-degree counterparts. But here’s what’s particularly interesting: Candidates with a Master of Engineering degree are typically paid higher salaries than candidates with only a civil engineering degree at the bachelor’s level.
Civil engineering positions in Massachusetts show a strong preference for advanced education:
What’s remarkable here is that nearly 40% of positions prefer or require advanced degrees – significantly higher than many other engineering disciplines. This suggests that Massachusetts employers are particularly focused on highly qualified candidates, which explains the premium salaries we’re seeing in civil engineering compensation.
Required Years of Experience
The data shows a remarkable 21% salary jump between years 2 and 3, where civil engineers see their compensation increase from $93,958 to $114,119. This suggests that the transition from junior to intermediate level represents a critical career milestone for civil engineers in Massachusetts, significantly impacting how much a civil engineer makes as they gain relevant work experience.
But what if you’re already at the median? The data reveals another interesting pattern – there’s continued strong growth at the 6-year mark, where salaries jump to $136,231, representing a potential 19% increase from the 5-year level.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Positions | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 10.70% | 46 |
| 1 year | 3.95% | 17 |
| 2 years | 11.63% | 50 |
| 3 years | 15.35% | 66 |
| 4 years | 4.88% | 21 |
| 5 years | 24.42% | 105 |
| 6 years | 7.44% | 32 |
| 8 years | 8.84% | 38 |
Remote Work
Here’s where the modern workplace reality gets interesting:
| Work Arrangement | Number of Positions | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite | 305 | $108,619 |
| Remote | 9 | $121,250 |
| Hybrid | 284 | $129,023 |
Hybrid arrangements command the highest premiums, with salaries averaging $129,023 – nearly $20,000 more than onsite positions. This reflects the reality that Massachusetts employers are competing for top talent by offering flexible work arrangements, and they’re willing to pay for it. Remote positions, while limited in availability (only 9 positions in our dataset), still offer significant premiums over traditional onsite roles.
Seniority Level
The progression from internship to principal level represents a 296% increase in compensation, highlighting the exceptional value of experience and leadership capabilities in the civil engineering field. Senior engineers should encounter considerable advancement opportunities as project managers or functional managers of design, construction, operation, or maintenance.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the substantial jump between Senior and Lead levels – a $17,178 increase that reflects the premium placed on leadership and organizational skills in Massachusetts’ competitive market.
Cities with Highest Civil Engineer Salary in Massachusetts
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Foxborough | $180,000 | $86.54 |
| Hingham | $146,150 | $70.26 |
| Plainville | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| Burlington | $140,560 | $67.58 |
| Westwood | $138,437 | $66.56 |
| Woburn | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Canton | $137,500 | $66.11 |
| Bristol | $135,000 | $64.90 |
| Franklin | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Springfield | $134,167 | $64.50 |
Foxborough leads with the highest civil engineer salaries in Massachusetts, offering $180,000 annually – that’s 56% above the state median. In Boston, civil engineers earn an average of $95,036 per year, while in Springfield, the average is higher at $111,540 per year. These differences are caused by factors such as cost of living, demand, and economic conditions.
What’s particularly interesting is how smaller suburban communities like Foxborough, Hingham, and Plainville are outpacing traditional major cities. This likely reflects the concentration of specialized infrastructure projects and the competition for talent in these high-growth areas, including nonresidential building construction.
Top Paying Companies in Massachusetts
Here is a list of the top companies that consistently offer above-average salaries for civil engineers in Massachusetts, representing some of the highest paying civil engineering jobs in the state:
Highest Paying Employers
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| HNTB | $168,124 | $80.83 |
| TYLin | $167,500 | $80.53 |
| ERM | $166,876 | $80.23 |
| Will Handyman and Remodeling Services | $166,400 | $80.00 |
| Stantec | $161,789 | $77.78 |
| Mott MacDonald | $156,833 | $75.40 |
| Eversource Energy | $149,295 | $71.78 |
| Thornton Tomasetti | $147,500 | $70.91 |
| Arcadis | $145,669 | $70.03 |
| GEI Consultants | $144,375 | $69.41 |
| LaBella Associates | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| Parsons | $141,330 | $67.95 |
| Jacobs | $140,435 | $67.52 |
| Brown and Caldwell | $140,000 | $67.31 |
| Delve Underground | $137,847 | $66.27 |
These organisations span diverse industry sectors, including engineering consultancies, utilities, and specialised technical services. Top paying companies in Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services for Civil Engineer are Jacobs, AECOM, and Stantec, indicating strong demand for civil engineering expertise across multiple industries.
HNTB leads the pack with compensation packages averaging $168,124 annually, followed closely by TYLin and ERM. What’s noteworthy is that these top-tier firms are offering salaries that are 46% above the state median, reflecting the premium they place on attracting and retaining top talent.
How to Maximize Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis and current market trends, we recommend the following strategies to optimise your civil engineering salary in Massachusetts:
- Pursue Advanced Education Strategically – While a bachelor’s degree opens doors, a master’s degree can increase your earning potential by over 20%
- Focus on the 2-3 Year Experience Mark – The most significant salary increase occurs at this career stage, with a 21% jump
- Target Hybrid Work Arrangements – These positions command the highest premiums, averaging $20,000 more than onsite roles
- Obtain Professional Certifications – P.E. designation and specialised certifications significantly boost earning potential
Technical Competencies:
- CAD tools (AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation)
- BIM software and methodologies
- Structural analysis and design software
- GIS and mapping technologies
Explore our detailed article on the Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025
Explore a detailed breakdown of Civil Engineering Salaries in other States
Future Trends in Civil Engineering Salaries
Employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. With continued investment in U.S. infrastructure, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects that meet society’s need for upgrading bridges, roads, water systems, buildings, and other structures. Civil engineers will also be needed to oversee renewable-energy projects, such as the construction of wind farms and solar arrays, as these projects gain approval.
Engineers who develop expertise in these emerging areas are likely to command premium salaries as Massachusetts industries compete for talent with specialised knowledge. 44% of the current skill requirements in infrastructure are expected to evolve over the next five years, presenting both challenges and opportunities for career advancement. This evolution may also create new roles for civil engineering technicians to support these advanced technologies.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 598 publicly available civil engineering salaries in Massachusetts. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analyzed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The data analysis was completed in July 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on how much civil engineers make in Massachusetts. This comprehensive analysis serves as an unofficial ASCE salary report for the state.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession offers exceptional earning potential across Massachusetts, with the median civil engineer salary reaching USD 115,000 annually. While education provides a foundation, experience, specialisation, and strategic career choices significantly influence salary levels. Location decisions and work arrangement preferences have equally important impacts on total compensation.
For civil engineers looking to maximise their earning potential, a strategic approach combining technical skill development, professional certification, and leadership capabilities is essential. Massachusetts is well known for its infrastructure and construction sector. It is one of the most encouraging states for civil engineers in the U.S. Cities like Boston are hotspots for career growth due to major public and private projects, competitive salaries, and innovation in engineering practices.
Understanding salary trends and market dynamics will help you negotiate competitive compensation packages and advance your career effectively in this dynamic and rewarding field. Tools like the ASCE salary calculator can provide additional insights into your potential earnings based on your specific qualifications and location.
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