Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Fall River, MA: $73,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Fall River, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,354 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fall River's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,607 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,622) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fall River, Massachusetts, the starting civil engineer salary for new graduates is projected to be around $73,354 in 2026, which is a crucial number for recent graduates entering the workforce. This amount stands in contrast to the city’s median annual salary of $102,622, indicating a significant gap that reflects the typical career trajectory in the engineering sector. Over the first few years, many will find themselves moving from entry-level pay to the 25th percentile salary of $83,584 as they gain experience and skills. Given this outlook, Fall River presents a stable job market for new engineers, particularly within the context of ongoing infrastructure investments that promise opportunities for career advancement in the coming years.
About the Fall River Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fall River
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fall River
Entry-level civil engineers in Fall River, MA typically start between $73,354 and $83,584 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $85,710 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,622 — 0.84% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Massachusetts of $105,000 represents just 143.14% of the starting civil engineer pay ($73,354/year) in Fall River. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Fall River
- 1Research the Fall River market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $73,354 to $83,584, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fall River, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Fall River for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fall River's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Fall River is $85,710 ( 116.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,354, experienced hygienists can earn up to $159,064.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,005
2025 BLS Actual
$71,474
2026 Current Est.
$73,354
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fall River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,822 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,933 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,216 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,472 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,283 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Fall River, MA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,005 in 2019 to $71,474 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,283. New graduates entering the Fall River job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fall River metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Fall River
Employers in Fall River who are looking for new graduates often include large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn. These companies typically have structured training programs that allow entry-level engineers to pursue their Professional Engineer (PE) license while providing mentorship along the way. Additionally, state and federal agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation or USACE offer solid career paths, often with pension plans. Smaller firms may offer a more immediate project ownership experience but might lack the extensive training programs seen in larger companies. To enhance their starting pay in this competitive environment, recent graduates should consider pursuing credentials like the FE exam for EIT designation during their senior year and aim for the PE license after gaining the requisite supervised experience. Sustained demand from infrastructure projects backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law indicates that as engineers develop their capabilities and secure relevant licenses, realistic salary growth in these early years can be expected.
More salary data for Fall River, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Fall River. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fall River is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov