Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Brookline, MA: $48.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Brookline, MA runs $48.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,827 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Brookline's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,493 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Brookline, Massachusetts, civil engineers can expect an hourly median pay of $48.47, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This rate is particularly relevant for those working part-time or as per-diem professionals. For someone working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, this equates to approximately $1,163 weekly—or substantially more for per-diem arrangements, allowing flexibility in work settings ranging from consulting offices to construction sites. Entry-level engineers can anticipate hourly wages starting at $33.34, while those with significant experience might earn up to $75.14, indicating a competitive environment where expertise and licensure (PE) can significantly enhance earning potential.
About the Brookline Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.34 | $266.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.47 | $307.73 |
| Median (P50) | $48.47 | $387.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.05 | $496.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.14 | $601.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brookline
Based on $48.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.47/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brookline, MA can expect to earn approximately $100,822 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,167. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brookline.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brookline
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,938.89 | $8,402 | $100,822 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,163.33 | $5,041 | $60,493 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $775.55 | $3,361 | $40,329 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Brookline) | $48.47 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Brookline, MA earn a median of $100,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.58% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $103,945.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.47/hr = $60,493/year (purchasing power: $55,754).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,822/year (purchasing power: $92,924).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Brookline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Brookline grew 15.8% from $40.78/hr (2019) to $47.23/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookline 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.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Brookline
Considering part-time positions, a civil engineer in Brookline working just 24 hours a week would earn about $60,800 per year, a feasible choice for those seeking work-life balance. Per-diem civil engineers often command higher hourly rates, charging between $100 and $180, with specialists in structural or forensic engineering qualifying for fees ranging from $250 to $500. The variety of employers, including prominent firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as local government agencies, means that hourly rates can vary considerably. Benefits often play a significant role in pay structure. Engineers may opt for lower hourly rates with benefits, recognizing the value of health insurance in their total compensation package. For those negotiating in this competitive market, understanding the niche they occupy and pointing to their qualifications, such as being PE-licensed or having experience with BIL projects, can be advantageous.
More salary data for Brookline, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Brookline. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookline 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