Civil Engineer Salary in Lowell, MA: $104,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Lowell, MA earns a median $104,241/year (≈ $50.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Lowell's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $96,075 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Lowell, Massachusetts are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,241, which reflects a modest increase compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range in this city varies significantly, from $72,449 at the lower end to $161,575 at the high end. These figures, drawn from state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities, highlight the structured divide among the local workforce. Within Lowell, the compensation packages often differ greatly among sectors, with positions in top-tier consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offering higher pay compared to government jobs with the state Department of Transportation. The civil engineering job market here thus reveals a competitive landscape shaped by an ongoing demand for infrastructure development and project management capabilities.
About the Lowell Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,449 | $34.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,532 | $40.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,241 | $50.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,429 | $64.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,575 | $77.68 |
Median Salary Position
0.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lowell
In Lowell, MA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,126 (2026 est.). At $104,241, the local median is 0.72% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lowell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lowell Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Lowell median: $104,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lowell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $103,930 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +0.72% more |
Civil Engineers in Lowell, MA earn a median of $104,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.72% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $103,930.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lowell has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lowell, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,241 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,075 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,690
2025 BLS Actual
$101,570
2026 Current Est.
$104,241
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lowell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,211 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,687 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,591 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,584 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,384 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lowell metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $87,690 (2019) to $101,570 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,293 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lowell 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) | $72,449 – $83,532 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,532 – $104,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,241 – $133,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,429 – $161,575 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Lowell
The overall employment picture for civil engineers in Lowell is stable, with 29 professionals currently in the field. However, the local cost of living index reflects a figure of 108.5, indicating that expenses are slightly above the national average, which may influence take-home pay. Among local employers, consulting firms such as WSP and Stantec often lead in terms of salary offerings, while larger construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor typically provide competitive wages as well. Factors affecting the wide salary spread include specialized credentials like the PE license, which can yield substantial pay differences as engineers progress toward senior roles. Additionally, expertise in high-demand areas such as structural and geotechnical engineering is rewarded with premium salaries. To enhance earning potential, engineers should consider pursuing certifications, specializing in in-demand disciplines, and networking within both the public and private sectors, especially amidst current trends driven by federal infrastructure investment initiatives.
More salary data for Lowell, 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 $101,570 for civil engineersin the Lowell 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 Lowell 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