Senior Civil Engineer Salary in Barnstable Town, MA: $178,494 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of civil engineers working in Barnstable Town, MA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $178,494/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 17-2051. Strip back Barnstable Town's price premium (BEA RPP 98.4, 2% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $181,487 in average-cost America. The 80% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, senior civil engineering professionals in Barnstable Town, Massachusetts, have the opportunity to earn a median annual salary of $99,223, with top earners achieving a striking $178,494. This top-tier compensation highlights the significant experience premium for those who reach elevated positions within their careers. Compared to the national top civil engineer salary of $103,492, the P90 figure in Barnstable Town is competitive, reflecting the local market dynamics. Achieving these high salary brackets requires not only extensive experience—typically over seven years—but also a strategic focus on acquiring advanced qualifications such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license, and specialization in lucrative fields such as structural engineering or project management.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Barnstable Town
Experienced civil engineers at the top of the pay scale in Barnstable Town earn between $143,200 and $178,494 per year (2026 est.). This $104,416 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Barnstable Town median of $99,223 sits 4.12% below the US median.
Top CE, PE Salary Comparison
| Level | Barnstable Town | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $99,223 | $103,492 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,200 | $133,091 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $178,494 | $167,513 |
In Barnstable Town, experienced civil engineers (P90) earn 79.89% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Civil Engineer Pay in Barnstable Town
Advanced Certifications in Massachusetts
MA civil engineers with additional specialty certifications within the civil engineering field earn significantly above the $99,223 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Barnstable Town employers.
Specialty Focus
Civil Engineers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the civil engineering field in Barnstable Town command premium compensation, often reaching the $143,200–$178,494 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Barnstable Town metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced civil engineers who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured civil engineers in Barnstable Town with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Civil Engineers in Massachusetts who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Civil Engineer Career & Wage Growth Path in Barnstable Town
Clinical Civil Engineer
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Civil Engineer
5-10 yearsCivil Engineer Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBarnstable Town ranks #1 of 59 Massachusetts cities for top earner civil engineer salary (90th percentile: $178,494).
Top 10% civil engineer compensation in Barnstable Town ($178,494) is 5.65% above the Massachusetts average P90 ($168,941).
2019 BLS Actual
$118,590
2025 BLS Actual
$173,920
2026 Current Est.
$178,494
2019–2027 Growth
+54.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Barnstable Town (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $166,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $173,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $178,494 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,188 | Projected |
Top-earning civil engineers (90th percentile) in Barnstable Town saw their compensation grow 46.7% from $118,590 in 2019 to $173,920 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.63% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $183,188 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barnstable Town 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.
Maximizing Your Civil Engineer Earnings in Barnstable Town
Barnstable Town's senior civil engineering market illustrates a distinct differentiation in pay across specializations and employer types. Those working in structural engineering, transportation management, or environmental consulting often command higher compensation due to the specialized skill set required. Senior roles in engineering consulting firms, like Jacobs or AECOM, generally offer more competitive pay compared to positions in public works departments or smaller firms. Paths for advancement typically follow a structured trajectory from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Project Manager or even Principal Engineer, often necessitating further credentials such as certifications in LEED or additional state-specific licensing. As infrastructure investment increases due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, those with experience in high-demand areas may find additional leverage in salary negotiations. The landscape of compensation in Barnstable Town reflects not only individual merit but also market conditions shaped by public and private sector funding priorities.
More salary data for Barnstable Town, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced civil engineers make in Barnstable Town in 2026?
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Can experienced civil engineers make six figures in Barnstable Town?
How much does civil engineer salary increase over time in Barnstable Town?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $173,920 for civil engineers in the Barnstable Town metro area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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