Civil Engineer Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Civil Engineer salary really buy you in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$104,450

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$95,475

COL-adjusted (RPP=109.4)

Massachusetts Cost of Living Index

Massachusetts's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.4, meaning prices are 9.4% higher the national average. A Civil Engineer earning $104,450 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $95,475 in an average-cost US state.

MA: 109.4

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living.

Percentile	Nominal Salary	COL-Adjusted	Difference
10th Percentile (P10)	$77,880	$71,188	$-6,691
25th Percentile (P25)	$83,250	$76,096	$-7,153
Median (P50)	$104,450	$95,475	$-8,974
75th Percentile (P75)	$130,080	$118,903	$-11,176
90th Percentile (P90)	$167,370	$152,989	$-14,380

Key Insight

While $104,450 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $95,475. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Civil Engineer (After Cost of Living)

Where does Civil Engineer salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Mississippi

$119,060

RPP 87.3

2. New Mexico

$114,945

RPP 91.0

3. Louisiana

$112,969

RPP 90.6

4. Oklahoma

$112,094

RPP 88.8

5. Kentucky

$112,080

RPP 89.4

6. Alabama

$111,731

RPP 87.8

7. Nebraska

$110,645

RPP 89.8

8. North Dakota

$108,410

RPP 88.7

9. South Dakota

$108,079

RPP 88.0

10. Rhode Island

$107,211

RPP 104.7

Massachusetts ranks #37 out of 49 states for Civil Engineer after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Civil Engineer in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Civil Engineer in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $104,450 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $95,475 — a -8.6% difference.

Is Massachusetts expensive to live in?

Massachusetts's cost of living is 9.4% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Massachusetts is 109.4 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Civil Engineer in Massachusetts: $104,450 x (100 / 109.4) = $95,475. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Massachusetts offset the salary?

Partially — a Civil Engineer's nominal salary of $104,450 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $95,475. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.