Civil Engineer Salary in New Bedford, MA: $104,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in New Bedford, MA earns a median $104,729/year (≈ $50.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $96,524 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in New Bedford, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $104,729, which slightly surpasses the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession spans from $73,550 at the 10th percentile to $162,330 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market influenced by a combination of experience, specialization, and credentials like the Professional Engineer (PE) license. These estimates stem from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, illustrating the nuances in compensation within the local market. For civil engineers advancing from their Engineer-in-Training (EIT) status to full licensure, the potential for increased earnings is significant, especially in a city where infrastructure projects are rapidly evolving.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,499 | $40.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,729 | $50.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,833 | $64.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,330 | $78.04 |
Median Salary Position
1.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,780 (2026 est.). At $104,729, the local median is 1.2% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Civil Engineer Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $104,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,001 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +1.20% more |
Civil Engineers in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $104,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.20% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $104,001.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,729 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,524 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,100
2025 BLS Actual
$102,045
2026 Current Est.
$104,729
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,984 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,045 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,483 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $88,100 (2019) to $102,045 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,483 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,383 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $73,550 – $84,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,499 – $104,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,729 – $133,833 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,833 – $162,330 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in New Bedford
The local job market for civil engineers in New Bedford consists of approximately 24 professionals, which indicates a close-knit community where opportunities may arise more informally. The cost of living index in the area is at 108.5, meaning that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power can be affected by the higher-than-average cost of living. Job seekers may find that leading employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP offer favorable compensation, particularly for those with specializations in structural or geotechnical engineering. The variation in salaries often stems from factors such as the attainment of a PE license, the type of projects being engaged—potentially enhanced by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—and whether the work is with government entities or private firms. To maximize compensation, civil engineers should consider gaining experience in high-demand specialties and pursuing project management roles, which can offer substantial increases in pay within the New Bedford market.
More salary data for New Bedford, 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 $102,045 for civil engineersin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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