Massachusetts Salary Percentile
Calculator
Massachusetts has one of the highest median salaries in the country, driven by biotech, finance, healthcare, and technology sectors centered around Boston and Cambridge. The state has a flat income tax of 5% (with a 9% surtax above $1 million).
Enter your gross annual salary (pre-tax). Hourly workers: multiply hourly rate by 2,080.
Massachusetts salary percentiles — May 2025
| Percentile | Massachusetts | National |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39K | $31K |
| 25th | $47K | $38K |
| 50th (median)median | $64K | $51K |
| 75th | $100K | $81K |
| 90th | $160K | $129K |
State figures derived from BLS OEWS May 2025 state median. National figures from BLS national percentile data.
Key insight
Massachusetts' state median of $64K is 27% above the national median. The Boston metro's concentration of biotech, universities, and financial services creates strong wage pressure across sectors.
Massachusetts salary — frequently asked questions
What is the median salary in Massachusetts?
The median annual salary in Massachusetts is approximately $64K based on May 2025 BLS data. Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top five states for median wages. Boston's biotech corridor, financial services sector, and university ecosystem drive wages across nearly all professional fields.
What is a good salary in Boston?
Boston's high cost of living means $80,000-$90,000 is the threshold for comfortable single living without roommates. Cambridge and surrounding areas are even more expensive. A dual-income household earning $150,000-$200,000 combined can afford homeownership in suburban Massachusetts.
How much does the average biotech worker earn in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is the largest biotech hub in the US outside of San Francisco. Median salaries for research scientists run $90,000-$130,000. Clinical and regulatory professionals earn $100,000-$160,000. Senior researchers and directors often exceed $200,000 in total compensation.
What is Massachusetts income tax?
Massachusetts has a flat state income tax rate of 5% on most income, plus a 4% surtax (Millionaire's Tax) on income above $1 million. This is simpler and often lower than neighboring states like New York and Connecticut. The flat structure means middle-income earners pay a predictable percentage.
What is the average salary in Massachusetts?
"Average" and "median" measure different things, but BLS reports the median: the midpoint where half of Massachusetts workers earn more and half earn less. The Massachusetts median is $64K, above the national median of $51K. Use the calculator above to see exactly where your salary ranks.
Salary percentiles by state
Alabama
$46K median
Alaska
$61K median
Arizona
$50K median
Arkansas
$44K median
California
$58K median
Colorado
$60K median
Connecticut
$60K median
Delaware
$52K median
Florida
$48K median
Georgia
$48K median
Hawaii
$56K median
Idaho
$48K median
Illinois
$52K median
Indiana
$48K median
Iowa
$49K median
Kansas
$48K median
Kentucky
$47K median
Louisiana
$46K median
Maine
$51K median
Maryland
$60K median
Massachusetts
$64K median
Michigan
$49K median
Minnesota
$57K median
Mississippi
$40K median
Missouri
$48K median
Montana
$49K median
Nebraska
$49K median
Nevada
$48K median
New Hampshire
$56K median
New Jersey
$59K median
New Mexico
$47K median
New York
$60K median
North Carolina
$48K median
North Dakota
$52K median
Ohio
$49K median
Oklahoma
$46K median
Oregon
$57K median
Pennsylvania
$50K median
Rhode Island
$57K median
South Carolina
$46K median
South Dakota
$47K median
Tennessee
$47K median
Texas
$49K median
Utah
$50K median
Vermont
$56K median
Virginia
$56K median
Washington
$63K median
Washington D.C.
$92K median
West Virginia
$45K median
Wisconsin
$50K median
Wyoming
$50K median