Civil Engineer Salary in Chelsea, MA: $103,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Chelsea, MA earns a median $103,002/year (≈ $49.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Chelsea's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $94,933 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chelsea, Massachusetts, a civil engineer can expect to earn a median annual salary of $103,002 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the projected national median of $103,492, reflecting local market conditions influenced by various factors such as licensing and experience. The salary range for civil engineers in the area spans from $71,539 at the 10th percentile to $158,432 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of compensation levels. Salaries are projected based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, showcasing the evolving landscape of engineering roles in Chelsea, where the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise amidst ongoing infrastructure projects.
About the Chelsea Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,539 | $34.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,957 | $39.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,002 | $49.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,138 | $62.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,432 | $76.17 |
Median Salary Position
0.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelsea
In Chelsea, MA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,893 (2026 est.). At $103,002, the local median is 0.47% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelsea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelsea Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Chelsea median: $103,002/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelsea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $103,937 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.47% less |
Civil Engineers in Chelsea, MA earn a median of $103,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.47% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $103,937.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelsea has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelsea, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,002 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,933 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$86,647
2025 BLS Actual
$100,362
2026 Current Est.
$103,002
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Chelsea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,633 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,514 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,857 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,362 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,710 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelsea metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $86,647 (2019) to $100,362 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,063 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelsea 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,539 – $81,957 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,957 – $103,002 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,002 – $129,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,138 – $158,432 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Chelsea
Looking at Chelsea's job market, only six civil engineers are currently employed locally, which presents a tight but competitive employment environment. The cost of living index in Chelsea stands at 108.5, indicating a higher-than-average expense for residents, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include large engineering consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP. The disparity in pay levels often relates to whether the engineer holds a PE license and their area of specialty, such as structural or geotechnical engineering. Additionally, choosing between consulting firms, government positions, and construction companies can significantly impact salary potential. Civil engineers in Chelsea should consider obtaining advanced certifications and pursuing opportunities in high-demand specialties to maximize their earning potential in this competitive yet rewarding job market.
More salary data for Chelsea, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Chelsea, MA in 2026?
Is Chelsea, MA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Chelsea?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Chelsea?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Chelsea?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $100,362 for civil engineersin the Chelsea metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chelsea 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