Average Salaries in Massachusetts
Explore salaries across 730 occupations in Massachusetts. The average median wage across all tracked occupations is $75.6K, +22.8% vs the national average. See the highest-paying roles, where the jobs are, and how local wages compare to the rest of the country.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2024 estimates. Coverage: 730 occupations and 3,595,610 total jobs in Massachusetts.
How the state compares
Massachusetts is one of the higher-paying states in the country. Average wages here run meaningfully above the national level, though local cost of living often offsets some of that premium.
Massachusetts has a mid-sized labor market, with strong representation in some occupations but thinner coverage in niche roles.
The highest-paid occupation tracked here is Dentists, All Other Specialists. Drill into any occupation below to see its local pay distribution, employment, and how it compares to the national market.
Top-paying and largest occupations in Massachusetts
Two different lenses on the local labor market: which occupations pay the most, and which employ the most workers. The highest-paid list tends to favor specialized professional and technical roles. The largest list reflects where the everyday jobs actually are.
Top wages
Highest-paid occupations in Massachusetts
| Occupation | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | $235.4K | N/A |
| Neurologists | $234.7K | 290 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, And Magistrates | $221.7K | 600 |
| Psychiatrists | $221.2K | 1,210 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $218.8K | 8,880 |
| Physicians, All Other | $216.2K | 7,890 |
| Pediatricians, General | $213.2K | 2,980 |
| Computer And Information Systems Managers | $203.3K | 25,640 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $193.2K | 200 |
| Marketing Managers | $192.5K | 13,520 |
Most jobs
Largest occupations in Massachusetts
| Occupation | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health And Personal Care Aides | 108,090 | $39.5K |
| General And Operations Managers | 105,350 | $123.9K |
| Registered Nurses | 90,190 | $102.0K |
| Retail Salespersons | 86,410 | $36.3K |
| Fast Food And Counter Workers | 81,770 | $35.1K |
| Cashiers | 62,060 | $34.8K |
| Janitors And Cleaners, Except Maids And Housekeeping Cleaners | 56,160 | $44.6K |
| Customer Service Representatives | 54,660 | $48.1K |
| Software Developers | 54,260 | $150.5K |
| Office Clerks, General | 50,180 | $48.9K |
What Massachusetts specializes in
The location quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is here compared to the national average. A value above 1.00 means the occupation is more common in Massachusetts than in the country as a whole, which signals what this state is known for.
Location quotient
Most concentrated occupations in Massachusetts
| Occupation | Location quotient | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemists And Biophysicists | 16.59 | $127.5K |
| Sociologists | 8.57 | $103.5K |
| Bioengineers And Biomedical Engineers | 7.58 | $107.7K |
| Biological Technicians | 4.78 | $65.0K |
| Microbiologists | 4.51 | $126.3K |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 4.38 | $129.2K |
| Subway And Streetcar Operators | 3.75 | $84.8K |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 3.73 | $218.8K |
| Materials Scientists | 3.66 | $118.3K |
| Electro-Mechanical And Mechatronics Technologists And Technicians | 3.12 | $68.2K |
Peer markets
Comparable states
| State | Average median | Highest-paid occupation |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $86.2K | Obstetricians And Gynecologists |
| California | $77.6K | Chief Executives |
| Washington | $77.0K | Podiatrists |
| New York | $76.7K | Physicians, All Other |
| New Jersey | $73.7K | Physicians, All Other |
| Alaska | $73.0K | Dentists, General |
| Connecticut | $72.7K | Nurse Anesthetists |
| Maryland | $72.0K | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric |
Metros inside Massachusetts
Salaries can vary a lot within a single state. Urban metro areas typically pay more than rural regions, and specific industries cluster in particular cities. Drill into any metro below for its own full salary breakdown.
Inside this state
Major metros in Massachusetts
| Metro | Average median | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $77.1K | 2,668,430 |
| Worcester, MA | $72.8K | 342,980 |
| Springfield, MA | $69.7K | 189,550 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $71.6K | 86,420 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $73.7K | 62,490 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $69.4K | 51,190 |
Common salary questions for Massachusetts
What does "average median" mean? +
It is the average of all occupation-level medians in this area. It gives a rough sense of the overall wage level here compared to other states or metros, but it is not the same as a household income figure or a single blended salary.
What is a location quotient? +
A location quotient (LQ) compares how concentrated an occupation is in this area versus the national average. An LQ of 2.0 means the occupation is twice as concentrated here as it is nationally. High-LQ occupations are what this area specializes in.
How are comparable areas selected? +
Peer areas are other states with a similar overall wage level and employment size. They give you a quick sense of how this area ranks among places with a comparable labor market.