Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Salem, MA: $73,175 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Salem, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,175 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salem's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,442 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,162) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Salem, Massachusetts, can expect a starting civil engineer salary of approximately $73,175. This initial pay rate reflects a gap from the overall city median of $100,162, indicating that early career professionals in this sector typically earn significantly less than their more experienced counterparts. However, there is potential for growth as civil engineers progress through their careers; salaries are projected to increase to around $82,383 at the 25th percentile and can approach the median within the first few years. Given the city's favorable conditions and growing infrastructure demands, Salem presents a viable market for recent graduates, especially in light of the funding spurred by initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is anticipated to bolster local engineering opportunities.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salem
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 Salem
Entry-level civil engineers in Salem, MA typically start between $73,175 and $82,383 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $82,075 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,162 — 3.22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Massachusetts of $105,000 represents just 143.49% of the starting civil engineer pay ($73,175/year) in Salem. 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 Salem
- 1Research the Salem market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $73,175 to $82,383, 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 Salem, 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 Salem for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salem'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 Salem is $82,075 ( 112.16%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,175, experienced hygienists can earn up to $155,250.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,863
2025 BLS Actual
$71,300
2026 Current Est.
$73,175
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,863 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,678 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,265 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,777 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,241 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,175 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,100 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Salem, MA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,863 in 2019 to $71,300 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,100. New graduates entering the Salem job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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 Salem
New graduates entering the job market in Salem have several options for gaining employment in this field. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP actively recruit entry-level engineers, offering structured training programs that support professional development toward a Professional Engineer (PE) license—a necessary credential for senior project roles. State transportation departments and federal agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, provide opportunities with long-term career prospects and pension benefits. Additionally, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor often seek engineers for field positions, while smaller firms may allow for quicker project ownership but typically lack extensive training frameworks. To enhance their starting pay and job prospects, graduates are encouraged to pursue credentials such as passing the FE exam, leading to EIT designation, which lays the groundwork for licensure. With infrastructure spending driving demand, entering this profession now can lead to substantial career growth, positioning new civil engineers well for future advancements in just a few years.
More salary data for Salem, 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 Salem. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salem 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