Amherst Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Amherst, MA: $29.34/hr median hourly wage, $61,029 median annual salary, cost of living index 136.9, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Massachusetts taxes.
Amherst Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Amherst, MA is $29.34/hr, equivalent to $61,029 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.19/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $41.66/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$61,029
$29.34/hr
Cost of Living
136.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
Amherst, MA Overview
Population
39,263
Median Salary
$61,029
Average Salary
$68,352
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$497,000
Median Rent
$2,008/mo
Job Growth
+2.3%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Amherst is located in Massachusetts with a population of 39,263. The median household salary is $61,029 per year ($29.34/hour), which is $1,645 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.3%.
Amherst Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Amherst, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $61,029 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $37,838 | $18.19/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $61,029 | $29.34/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $86,661 | $41.66/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $108,632 | $52.23/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Amherst Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Amherst, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$48,165
$4,013.78/month · $1,852.51/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.1%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,852.51 take-home per paycheck after estimated Massachusetts and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$61,029
Federal Tax
-$5,143
State Tax
-$3,051
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,669
Net Pay
$48,165
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,085.75 | $61,029.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$428.62 | -$5,143.48 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$254.29 | -$3,051.45 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$315.32 | -$3,783.80 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$73.74 | -$884.92 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,013.78 | $48,165.35 |
Salary Comparison: Amherst vs Other Cities
See how Amherst's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst, MA | $61,029 | 136.9 | $44,579 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Surprise, AZ | $61,000 | 99 | $61,616 |
| Amherst, NY | $60,960 | 131 | $46,534 |
| Marlborough, MA | $60,950 | 121.7 | $50,082 |
| Huntington, NY | $61,125 | 135.6 | $45,077 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Amherst
Amherst's cost of living index is 136.9 (national average = 100). Living in Amherst is 36.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$497,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,008
Annual Rent Cost
$24,096
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $48,165 annual take-home pay in Amherst has the purchasing power of approximately $35,183 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $83,549 in Amherst to match a $61,029 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Amherst
Amherst's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $61,029.
Salary Tips for Amherst Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Amherst has a cost of living 36.900000000000006% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Research top industries. Amherst's top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $61,029 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Amherst salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Amherst-MA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Amherst indexed at 136.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Amherst's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $61,029 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Massachusetts state income tax (5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Amherst: 3.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Biotech, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $497,000, median rent $2,008/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Amherst, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Amherst unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Amherst QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Massachusetts — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Amherst's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Massachusetts labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Amherst, MA?
The median hourly wage in Amherst, MA is $29.34 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $61,029 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.19/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $41.66/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Amherst, MA?
The median salary in Amherst, MA is $61,029 per year, or $29.34 per hour. The average salary is $68,352. This is $1,645 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Amherst, MA?
Amherst's cost of living index is 136.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 36.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $497,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,008.
What are the best industries in Amherst?
The top industries in Amherst, MA include Biotech, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 2.3% and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $61,029.
How does Amherst's salary compare to other cities?
Amherst's median salary of $61,029 is 2.8% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 136.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $44,579.
What is the minimum wage in Amherst, MA?
The minimum wage in Amherst, MA is $15.00 per hour. This equals approximately $31,200 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.