Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Lowell, MA: $50.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Lowell, MA runs $50.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,241 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Lowell's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,543 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lowell, Massachusetts, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach $50.11 in 2026, which puts it slightly above the national median hourly rate of $49.76. For civil engineers working part-time in typical settings like consulting firm offices or construction site field offices, this translates to a significant earning potential even in a reduced schedule. For example, a civil engineer working three days a week could expect to earn about $36,000 annually, depending on hours worked. The hourly wage range for civil engineers in Lowell varies from $34.83 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as high as $77.68 for the top earners (90th percentile), offering a diverse range of opportunities from entry-level positions to experienced professionals leading high-stakes projects.
About the Lowell 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) | $34.83 | $278.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.16 | $321.27 |
| Median (P50) | $50.11 | $400.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.14 | $513.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.68 | $621.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lowell
Based on $50.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.11/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lowell, MA can expect to earn approximately $104,238 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,137. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lowell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lowell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,004.57 | $8,686 | $104,238 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,202.74 | $5,212 | $62,543 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $801.83 | $3,475 | $41,695 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Lowell) | $50.11 |
| 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 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.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.11/hr = $62,543/year (purchasing power: $57,643).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,238/year (purchasing power: $96,072).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lowell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Lowell grew 15.8% from $42.16/hr (2019) to $48.83/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.43/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Lowell
Additionally, many civil engineers in Lowell are exploring the flexibility of per-diem work options, which can offer enticing pay rates. Those in per-diem roles commonly charge between $100 and $180 per hour, while expert witnesses, such as experienced structural or forensic engineers, can bill between $250 and $500 per hour based on their specialized expertise. The choice of employer significantly influences these rates, as opportunities in engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government agencies like state DOTs can vary substantially in terms of pay and benefits. Civil engineers may have to balance between accepting slightly lower hourly rates with the added security of health insurance or seeking higher pay without benefits. When negotiating, it's essential for civil engineers in Lowell to be informed about industry benchmarks, the demand generated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and their specific qualifications, including whether they hold a PE license, to maximize their earning potential in this competitive field.
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
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 Lowell. 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 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