Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Methuen, MA: $73,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Methuen, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,047 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Methuen's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,324 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,486) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Methuen, Massachusetts, the starting civil engineer salary for 2026 is projected to be $73,047 annually, which represents the P10 figure for entry-level positions. This figure reflects a noticeable gap when compared to the city's median annual salary of $102,486. New graduates can reasonably anticipate incremental growth in their salaries over the first few years, moving towards the P25 mark of $83,316 and eventually reaching the median as they gain experience. Given the presence of infrastructure projects influenced by federal spending initiatives, Methuen appears to be a promising market for fresh civil engineering graduates looking to kickstart their careers.
About the Methuen Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Methuen
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 Methuen
Entry-level civil engineers in Methuen, MA typically start between $73,047 and $83,316 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $85,807 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,486 — 0.97% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Massachusetts of $105,000 represents just 143.74% of the starting civil engineer pay ($73,047/year) in Methuen. 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 Methuen
- 1Research the Methuen market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $73,047 to $83,316, 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 Methuen, 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 Methuen for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Methuen'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 Methuen is $85,807 ( 117.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,047, experienced hygienists can earn up to $158,854.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,762
2025 BLS Actual
$71,175
2026 Current Est.
$73,047
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Methuen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,762 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,575 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,154 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,665 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,096 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,175 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,968 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Methuen, MA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,762 in 2019 to $71,175 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,968. New graduates entering the Methuen job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Methuen 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 Methuen
Employers in Methuen actively seek new graduates, especially large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which offer structured training pipelines for Engineers in Training (EITs). State and federal agencies, such as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the US Army Corps of Engineers, provide stable career paths with competitive benefits, while construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor often recruit EITs for field positions, providing hands-on experience. For new engineering graduates, obtaining a degree from an ABET-accredited program, passing the FE exam, and pursuing a Professional Engineer (PE) license become critical steps that can enhance starting pay in MA. With infrastructure projects increasingly funded by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, entry-level civil engineers can expect salary growth to align with their efforts towards licensure and continued education, reflecting a robust demand for engineering professionals in the local market.
More salary data for Methuen, 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 Methuen. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Methuen 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