Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Plymouth, MA: $69,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Plymouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,869 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,395 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,664) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the projected starting civil engineer salary for 2026 presents an exciting opportunity. Entry-level positions typically start around $69,869, which is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $104,664 for the region. However, this gap can be bridged over the first few years as professionals progress from initial salaries towards the $81,459 mark within their first three to five years. Plymouth serves as a promising job market for recent graduates, especially with ongoing infrastructure projects spurred by federal initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, creating sustained demand for civil engineering expertise.
About the Plymouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Plymouth
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 Plymouth
Entry-level civil engineers in Plymouth, MA typically start between $69,869 and $81,459 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $92,360 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,664 — 1.13% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Massachusetts of $105,000 represents just 150.28% of the starting civil engineer pay ($69,869/year) in Plymouth. 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 Plymouth
- 1Research the Plymouth market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $69,869 to $81,459, 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Plymouth'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 Plymouth is $92,360 ( 132.19%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,869, experienced hygienists can earn up to $162,229.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,249
2025 BLS Actual
$68,079
2026 Current Est.
$69,869
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,249 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,028 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,407 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,896 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,071 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,079 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,707 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Plymouth, MA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,249 in 2019 to $68,079 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $71,707. New graduates entering the Plymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth 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 Plymouth
In Plymouth, various employers actively seek entry-level civil engineers, particularly among well-established consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which offer structured training programs for new graduates. State and federal agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also provide solid career pathways, featuring benefits such as pensions. Meanwhile, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor tend to recruit graduates for field-engineering roles. To enhance their starting pay and career prospects, aspiring civil engineers should focus on obtaining credentials such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which leads to the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation, followed by the Professional Engineer (PE) license. Realistic salary growth in these early years could see entry-level engineers increase their earnings as they gain experience and potentially explore specialist roles, further supported by local connections and project ownership in smaller firms.
More salary data for Plymouth, 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 Plymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plymouth 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