Civil Engineer Salary in Needham, MA: $102,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Needham, MA earns a median $102,138/year (≈ $49.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Needham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $94,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The civil engineer salary in Needham, Massachusetts, reflects the ongoing impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) on local hiring within the industry, with a projected median annual salary of $102,138 for 2026. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $103,492, indicating a competitive but nuanced market. The local salary range exhibits considerable variability, from a starting figure of $69,498 at the 10th percentile to a peak of $158,315 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data and adjusted to account for regional cost factors, highlight the critical demand for civil engineers in Needham, making it essential for emerging professionals to understand their earning potential in this evolving job market.
About the Needham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,498 | $33.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,205 | $38.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,138 | $49.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,186 | $62.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,315 | $76.11 |
Median Salary Position
1.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Needham
In Needham, MA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,817 (2026 est.). At $102,138, the local median is 1.31% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Needham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Needham Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Needham median: $102,138/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Needham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $103,905 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -1.31% less |
Civil Engineers in Needham, MA earn a median of $102,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.31% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $103,905.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Needham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Needham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,138 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,136 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,921
2025 BLS Actual
$99,521
2026 Current Est.
$102,138
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Needham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,921 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,411 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,898 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,764 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,636 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,794 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,521 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,825 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Needham metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $85,921 (2019) to $99,521 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,825 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,904 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Needham 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) | $69,498 – $80,205 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,205 – $102,138 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,138 – $129,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,186 – $158,315 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Needham
As of 2026, there are only six civil engineers employed in Needham, MA, which suggests a relatively niche but stable job market. The cost of living index for the area stands at 108.5, indicating that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power is impacted by the higher living expenses. Top employers that lead in compensation include engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, as well as prominent construction companies like Bechtel. The variations in pay are often driven by factors such as the possession of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, specialization in specific engineering disciplines, and the tier of the employing firm. Civil engineers aiming to maximize their pay should consider gaining specialized certifications and pursuing opportunities in high-demand sectors such as infrastructure projects, where BIL funding is prevalent. Additionally, navigating career paths between project management and technical roles can significantly affect earning potential in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Needham, 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 $99,521 for civil engineersin the Needham 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 Needham 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