Civil Engineer Salary in Northampton, MA: $104,664 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Northampton, MA earns a median $104,664/year (≈ $50.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Northampton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $96,465 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 Northampton, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $104,664, slightly surpassing the national median of $103,492. The salary range reflects a broad spectrum of experience and specialization, with figures spanning from $75,000 at the P10 level to $162,229 at P90. These estimates are informed by state-level data from BLS sources and account for local cost adjustments in the region. This compensation landscape is influenced by the varied employment sectors within civil engineering, particularly the distinctions between consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government positions including the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and construction roles at companies such as Bechtel and Kiewit.
About the Northampton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,000 | $36.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,229 | $40.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,664 | $50.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,033 | $63.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,229 | $78.00 |
Median Salary Position
1.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Northampton
In Northampton, MA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,229 (2026 est.). At $104,664, the local median is 1.13% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Northampton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Northampton Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Northampton median: $104,664/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Northampton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $103,937 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +1.13% more |
Civil Engineers in Northampton, MA earn a median of $104,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.13% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $103,937.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Northampton has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Northampton, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,664 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,465 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$88,046
2025 BLS Actual
$101,982
2026 Current Est.
$104,664
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Northampton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,046 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,959 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,976 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,545 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,664 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,417 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Northampton metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $88,046 (2019) to $101,982 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,371 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Northampton 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) | $75,000 – $85,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,229 – $104,664 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,664 – $133,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,033 – $162,229 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Northampton
With only six civil engineers currently employed in Northampton, the local job market remains relatively niche. The cost of living index for the area is 108.5, indicating that housing and services are slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power for professionals. Among employers, top-tier consulting firms typically offer higher salaries than state DOTs or local public works departments, making them attractive options for engineers. The salary disparity often hinges on several factors, such as having a PE license, specialization in high-demand areas like structural or transportation engineering, and the tier of the firm—top consulting firms generally pay more than smaller or government employers. To maximize pay, civil engineers should consider pursuing advanced roles that leverage their licensure while specializing in sectors benefiting from ongoing infrastructure investments tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Knowledge of local relationships in the industry can also significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Northampton, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Northampton, MA in 2026?
Is Northampton, MA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Northampton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Northampton?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Northampton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $101,982 for civil engineersin the Northampton 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 Northampton 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