Average salary in Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is known for its high cost of living, particularly in cities such as Boston, Cambridge, and Newton. As such, it can be challenging to determine what a "good" salary is. Whether you're a current resident or considering a move to Massachusetts, it's essential to understand the financial landscape. 

Numerous sources rank Massachusetts as one of the most expensive states to live in, with the Economic Policy Institute reporting that a family of four needs an income of at least $100,000 to live comfortably. With that said, Massachusetts is also home to some of the highest-paying jobs in the country, particularly in the technology, finance, and healthcare industries. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries? 

Average salary in Massachusetts by city 

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Massachusetts’ own cities can vary massively in average salary; cities like Cambridge and Newton command well into six figures, while Springfield’s average sits below $35,000.  

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.  

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the 20 largest cities in Massachusetts, which you can find ranked below.  

Average salary in Massachusetts by county 

Reviewing average salaries in Massachusetts by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Massachusetts by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.  

Highest paying jobs in Massachusetts

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Massachusetts: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Massachusetts

What is the average salary in Massachusetts by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Massachusetts are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $51,904; householders aged 24 to 44 years old have a median income of $88,840; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $98,158; and those 65 and older have a median income of $60,935.

What is a ‘good’ salary in Massachusetts?
The median income in Massachusetts is $85,843. Defining ‘good’ relies on all sorts of variable factors and these should be taken into account. For example, $150,000 is a far higher salary than the state average—but is slightly lower than the mean average of Boston residents at $156,000.

What is the average salary in Massachusetts by hour?
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Massachusetts is $47,66.

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