What is a Good Salary in Massachusetts?
What is considered a 'good' salary can vary based on factors like location, lifestyle, and industry. A salary in the range of $60,000 to $80,000 is generally considered comfortable for a single person in Massachusetts. High-paying fields like technology and healthcare can offer salaries reaching up to $150,000, while more common roles such as administrative assistants typically earn around $50,000.
Average Salary by Cities in Massachusetts
The cost of living can vary widely from one city to another, and that impacts both how far salaries stretch and what professionals expect in terms of pay. Cities with higher living costs – like those with hot housing markets or tech hubs – tend to have higher salary expectations.
Familiarizing yourself with the average salary ranges per location can help you plan better and make sure your compensation packages are in line with local expectations to attract and retain top talent. Here’s a quick look at salary ranges across different cities in Massachusetts, to get a sense of competitive salaries based on local factors:
| City | Monthly Salary | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Boston | $6,754 | $81,050 |
| Cambridge | $7,150 | $85,811 |
| Worcester | $5,122 | $61,473 |
| Springfield | $5,236 | $62,838 |
| Lowell | $5,217 | $62,609 |
Salary Earnings Based on Experience Level in Massachusetts
Salaries naturally increase with experience – this applies to both new hires and existing team members. When planning for new positions, it's important to consider how salary ranges change at different seniority levels. This will help ensure you're meeting salary expectations, retain employees and create a fair working environment.
Here’s a breakdown of how monthly and annual salary ranges grow with experience in Massachusetts:
| Experience Level | Monthly Salary | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Entry-Level Jobs (0-2 years experience) | $2,978 | $35,743 |
| Mid-Level Jobs (3-5 years experience) | $5,494 | $65,935 |
| Senior Roles & Managers | $8,514 | $102,171 |
| Executive & C-Level | $8,837 | $106,046 |
Average Salaries by Job Title in Massachusetts
Building a competitive compensation package means knowing what the going rate is for specific roles. We’ve compiled the most recent salary data by job title for Massachusetts, making it easier for you to compare roles, match your offers with the market, and make sure your team is paid fairly.
| Job Title | Monthly Salary | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Project Manager | $7,356 | $88,274 |
| Data Analyst | $6,272 | $75,271 |
| Software Engineer | $7,667 | $92,000 |
| Financial Analyst | $7,380 | $88,566 |
| Human Resources Manager | $6,389 | $76,669 |
Highest Paying Jobs in Massachusetts
- Anesthesiologist: $395,147
- Surgeon: $348,468
- Family Medicine Physician: $220,490
- Internal Medicine Physician: $171,207
- Chief Marketing Officer: $163,455
- Machine Learning Engineer: $156,691
- Engineering Manager: $154,994
- Sales Engineer: $150,923
- Chief Financial Officer: $150,299
- Corporate Counsel: $148,413
Monthly Cost of Living in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, driven by factors like housing and transportation. Housing expenses are 84% higher than the national average, particularly in cities like Boston, where demand is high and availability is limited. Utility costs are about 11% higher than the national average, influenced by the state’s climate and energy needs. Transportation expenses, including gas prices and public transit, are around 12% higher than the national average, due to heavy traffic in urban areas and the extensive public transit system in cities like Boston.

Median Home Price
$658,559
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