Civil Engineer Salary in Watertown, MA: $102,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Watertown, MA earns a median $102,606/year (≈ $49.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $94,568 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for civil engineers is anticipated to be $102,606 in 2026. This figure illustrates a vibrant local market where salaries range from $70,710 at the 10th percentile to $157,299 on the higher end, reflecting varying levels of experience, specialization, and employer type. Local estimates derive from state-level BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, which is notably higher in Watertown (Cost of Living Index: 108.5). The civil engineer pay landscape in Watertown is influenced by the divide among consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, state and local government positions, and construction companies—all competing for talent and contributing to the overall compensation structure.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,710 | $33.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,123 | $40.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,606 | $49.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,089 | $61.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,299 | $75.63 |
Median Salary Position
0.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, MA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,589 (2026 est.). At $102,606, the local median is 0.86% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Watertown median: $102,606/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $103,958 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.86% less |
Civil Engineers in Watertown, MA earn a median of $102,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.86% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $103,958.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,606 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,568 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,315
2025 BLS Actual
$99,977
2026 Current Est.
$102,606
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,315 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,812 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,296 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,069 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,305 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $86,315 (2019) to $99,977 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,990 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $70,710 – $85,123 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,123 – $102,606 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,606 – $128,089 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,089 – $157,299 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Watertown
Despite having only seven employed civil engineers, Watertown's market demonstrates strong potential, highlighted by the influence of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is ramping up infrastructure investments. The higher cost of living may diminish take-home pay, creating a more competitive atmosphere as firms strive to attract skilled professionals. Leading employers include top-tier consulting corporations and Fortune 500 construction firms, which typically offer above-average salaries compared to local government roles. The significant variation in earnings stems from factors such as professional licensure, specialization, and firm reputation, making pathways to elevate pay clear: obtaining a PE license or specializing in high-demand areas such as structural or geotechnical engineering. Candidates can maximize their civil engineer salary in Watertown, MA by focusing on these strategies while being mindful of the market dynamics at play.
More salary data for Watertown, 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 $99,977 for civil engineersin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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