Civil Engineer Salary in Lexington, MA: $99,508 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Lexington, MA earns a median $99,508/year (≈ $47.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $91,712 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Lexington, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $99,508 in 2026, reflecting the impact of heightened infrastructure spending due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Salary estimates indicate a broad range, with entry-level positions starting around $71,319, while top earners can command up to $154,237. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the competitive nature of the civil engineering job market in Lexington. With the city's ongoing projects and public works initiatives driving demand, civil engineers can expect a vibrant job market that reinforces the value of their expertise.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,319 | $34.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,508 | $47.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,489 | $60.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,237 | $74.15 |
Median Salary Position
3.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, MA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,918 (2026 est.). At $99,508, the local median is 3.85% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Lexington median: $99,508/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $103,979 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -3.85% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,508 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,712 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,708
2025 BLS Actual
$96,958
2026 Current Est.
$99,508
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,708 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,478 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,199 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,555 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,958 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,508 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $83,708 (2019) to $96,958 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,417 (22.00%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,319 – $81,040 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,040 – $99,508 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,508 – $126,489 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,489 – $154,237 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Lexington
In terms of local employment dynamics, only six civil engineers currently work in Lexington, suggesting a tight-knit community within the profession. The cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, slightly above the national average, indicating that residents may experience higher living expenses that impact their purchasing power. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs typically offer competitive compensation packages, particularly for those holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which often correlates with increased pay. Variations in salary can also arise from the types of projects undertaken—those in specialized fields like structural or geotechnical engineering often earn more. To maximize civil engineer pay in Lexington, professionals should seek opportunities with leading consulting firms and consider targeting roles that apply for infrastructure funding, as these positions represent the strongest growth prospects amid shifting demand dynamics in the marketplace.
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
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 $96,958 for civil engineersin the Lexington 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 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