Salaries · United States · Massachusetts
Salaries in Massachusetts 2026
The median pay for all jobs in Massachusetts is $63,590 a year ($30.57 an hour), 25% above the US median of $50,980 (BLS, May 2025): the 2nd highest of the 50 states and DC. Full-time workers living in Massachusetts earn a median of $80,500 (Census ACS 2020 to 2024).
By Dominic Roworth · From BLS, Census and BEA data, checked 31 October 2026
Pay in Massachusetts: the key figures
| Figure | Massachusetts | United States | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median pay, all jobs | $63,590 | $50,980 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Average (mean) pay | $85,610 | $69,770 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Lowest-paid 10% earn under | $36,330 | $31,200 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Highest-paid 10% earn over | $163,010 | $128,560 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Jobs counted | 3,637,650 | 155,495,730 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Full-time workers living here, median | $80,500 ± $373 | $61,657 | Census ACS 2020-2024, B20018 |
| Median household income | $103,960 ± $527 | $80,734 | Census ACS 2020-2024, B19013 |
| Price level (US = 100) | 105.8 | 100.0 | BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 |
| Minimum wage | $15.00 | $7.25 | State labor department |
Take-home pay on the median
On $63,590, a single person keeps about $50,123 a year ($4,177 a month) after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, Massachusetts income tax and state payroll contributions. With prices 6% above the US average, $63,590 here buys what $60,100 buys at average US prices.
| Median pay | $63,590 |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | -$5,451 |
| Social Security | -$3,943 |
| Medicare | -$922 |
| Massachusetts income tax | -$2,860 |
| PFML, employee share (maximum) | -$293 |
| Take-home a year | $50,123 |
What drives pay in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has the second-highest median pay of the 50 states and DC, $63,590 for all jobs and 25% above the US, because so much of its economy is research, medicine and education. Professional, scientific and technical services made up 13.8% of GDP in 2025 (US 8.0%), and the part of that category that includes scientific research and development, consulting and accounting was 9.6%, twice the US share (BEA). Educational services were 2.8% (US 1.1%), hospitals 3.6% (US 2.4%), and chemical manufacturing, which includes drug making, 3.0% (US 1.9%).
The jobs reflect that mix. There are 10,590 natural sciences managers on a median of $267,290 and 24,910 computer and information systems managers on $214,960. Even the most common job, home health and personal care aide, has a median of $40,910, and registered nurses earn $104,550. Full-time workers living in the state earn a median of $80,500 (Census).
Biotech, the state's signature industry, has had a hard stretch. MassBio, the industry's trade group, counted 113,503 biopharma jobs in 2025, about 3,600 (3.1%) fewer than in 2024, which the Boston Globe reported as the first annual loss. The wider economy grew 1.3% in real terms in 2025, slower than the US at 2.3%. The state's labor office reports 16,300 more payroll jobs in September 2026 than a year earlier, with unemployment at 4.3% (US 4.2%).
The highest-paid jobs in Massachusetts
Median annual pay, for jobs with at least 1,000 workers in the state (BLS, May 2025).
| Job | Workers | Median a year |
|---|---|---|
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | 1,590 | $285,250 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | 3,540 | $277,490 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 10,590 | $267,290 |
| Physicians, All Other | 8,210 | $236,580 |
| Pediatricians, General | 2,310 | $221,170 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 24,910 | $214,960 |
| Marketing Managers | 14,270 | $212,020 |
| Financial Managers | 26,150 | $206,760 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 7,690 | $201,430 |
| Sales Managers | 15,010 | $191,200 |
| Managers, All Other | 10,630 | $182,950 |
| Human Resources Managers | 7,540 | $181,780 |
| Dentists, General | 2,780 | $181,600 |
| Lawyers | 23,560 | $176,680 |
| Public Relations Managers | 2,170 | $171,740 |
The most common jobs in Massachusetts
The jobs with the most workers, and what they pay.
| Job | Workers | Median a year | An hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 117,940 | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| General and Operations Managers | 95,880 | $127,220 | $61.16 |
| Registered Nurses | 88,200 | $104,550 | $50.27 |
| Retail Salespersons | 86,860 | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 85,810 | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| Cashiers | 58,880 | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 55,490 | $45,580 | $21.91 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 54,670 | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 49,990 | $49,120 | $23.61 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 49,760 | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Software Developers | 48,190 | $165,210 | $79.43 |
| Office Clerks, General | 47,940 | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Accountants and Auditors | 46,230 | $99,460 | $47.82 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 39,710 | $101,810 | $48.95 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 39,210 | $39,380 | yearly pay only |
Pay for careers we cover, in Massachusetts
Official BLS medians for Massachusetts; each links to the full salary guide with pay by state.
| Career | Workers | Median a year |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist | 500 | $295,550 |
| Dentist | 2,780 | $181,600 |
| Lawyer | 23,560 | $176,680 |
| Software Engineer | 48,190 | $165,210 |
| Aerospace Engineer | 990 | $149,470 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 8,070 | $142,440 |
| Physician Assistant | 4,470 | $142,410 |
| Elevator Technician | $138,420 | |
| Pharmacist | 7,230 | $138,170 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | 6,100 | $136,550 |
| Data Scientist | 9,420 | $131,750 |
| Actuary | $126,040 | |
| Air Traffic Controller | 120 | $125,060 |
| Project Manager | 21,960 | $114,190 |
| UX Designer | 2,740 | $113,540 |
| Financial Analyst | 14,790 | $111,040 |
| Registered Nurse | 88,200 | $104,550 |
| Compliance Officer | 13,190 | $102,060 |
| Dental Hygienist | 6,850 | $100,640 |
| Accountant | 46,230 | $99,460 |
| Plumber | 13,460 | $93,880 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | 1,410 | $93,040 |
| Electrician | 17,810 | $79,420 |
| Paralegal | 7,800 | $77,640 |
| HVAC Technician | 8,200 | $77,300 |
| Welder | 2,830 | $62,570 |
| Flight Attendant | 4,390 | $61,510 |
Massachusetts and its neighbors
| State | Median pay | Price level | At US prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $63,590 | 105.8 | $60,100 |
| Connecticut | $59,690 | 103.6 | $57,600 |
| New Hampshire | $55,880 | 104.2 | $53,600 |
| New York | $59,670 | 107.9 | $55,300 |
| Rhode Island | $56,780 | 102.3 | $55,500 |
| Vermont | $56,390 | 98.0 | $57,600 |
Limits
BLS figures cover jobs located in Massachusetts, not the self-employed; Census figures cover people who live here. Take-home assumes a single filer with the standard deduction. More in our methodology.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state file)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020 to 2024 (tables B20018 and B19013)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state (table SARPP), 2024
- Take-home pay: Paygrade's 2026 federal and state tax engine, see the methodology.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: GDP by state and industry, 2025 (industry shares and growth rates are our calculation), data last updated 30 Sep 2026
- MassBio (Massachusetts Biotechnology Council): excerpt of The Boston Globe, 'Massachusetts lost biotech jobs for first time in 2025, new report shows', Globe article 25 Aug 2026
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development: Massachusetts Gains Jobs, Labor Force Continues to Grow in September, 16 Oct 2026
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