Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Lexington, MA: $47.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Lexington, MA runs $47.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,508 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,699 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lexington, Massachusetts, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $47.84 for 2026, slightly below the national median of $49.76. This rate provides a solid foundation for engineers working in various environments, including consulting firms, government offices, and construction sites. For part-time civil engineers working three days a week, which translates to about 24 hours, this would yield a respectable income while providing flexibility. The hourly range for civil engineers in Lexington extends from $34.29 at the entry-level to $74.15 for top earners, indicating a significant potential for career advancement within the field. It is essential to consider these figures in the context of work settings that typically utilize software like CAD or Revit, which are prevalent in the industry’s daily operations.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.29 | $274.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.96 | $311.67 |
| Median (P50) | $47.84 | $382.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.81 | $486.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.15 | $593.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $47.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.84/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, MA can expect to earn approximately $99,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,403. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,913.43 | $8,292 | $99,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,148.06 | $4,975 | $59,699 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $765.37 | $3,317 | $39,799 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Lexington) | $47.84 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Lexington, MA earn a median of $99,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.85% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $103,979.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.84/hr = $59,699/year (purchasing power: $55,022).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,499/year (purchasing power: $91,704).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Lexington grew 15.8% from $40.24/hr (2019) to $46.61/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.09/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Lexington
When analyzing the earning potential for civil engineers in Lexington, the distinction between full-time and part-time employment becomes clear. A civil engineer working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $59,949 annually, thereby balancing professional fulfillment with personal time. In the realm of per-diem pay, civil engineers often charge between $100 and $180 per hour, while expert witnesses in structural or forensic engineering can bill rates as high as $500 per hour. Pay scales also vary significantly depending on the type of employer; while engineering consulting firms may offer lower hourly rates with benefits, a construction company or state agency might provide higher pay for similar roles. Engineers should consider negotiating for benefits when weighing lower hourly pay against job security. Practical tips for securing better rates include researching salary benchmarks specific to Lexington and evaluating job offers carefully to align with long-term career goals amidst shifts in infrastructure spending driven by recent legislation.
More salary data for Lexington, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Lexington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lexington 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