Boston Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Boston, MA: $40.87/hr median hourly wage, $85,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 152, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Massachusetts taxes.
Boston Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Boston, MA is $40.87/hr, equivalent to $85,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $25.34/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $58.04/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$85,000
$40.87/hr
Cost of Living
152
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Boston, MA Overview
Population
675,647
Median Salary
$85,000
Average Salary
$96,000
Avg Commute
31 min
Median Home Price
$680,000
Median Rent
$2,800/mo
Job Growth
+2%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Boston is located in Massachusetts with a population of 675,647. The median household salary is $85,000 per year ($40.87/hour), which is $25,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 31 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2%.
Boston Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Boston, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $85,000 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 | $52,700 | $25.34/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $85,000 | $40.87/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $120,700 | $58.04/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $151,300 | $72.75/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.
Boston Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Boston, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$64,378
$5,364.79/month · $2,476.06/biweekly · Effective Rate: 24.3%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,476.06 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
$85,000
Federal Tax
-$9,870
State Tax
-$4,250
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$6,503
Net Pay
$64,378
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $7,083.33 | $85,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$822.50 | -$9,870.00 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$354.17 | -$4,250.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$439.17 | -$5,270.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$102.71 | -$1,232.50 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $5,364.79 | $64,377.50 |
Salary Comparison: Boston vs Other Cities
See how Boston's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $85,000 | 152 | $55,921 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Sandy Springs, GA | $85,000 | 112 | $75,893 |
| Edison, NJ | $85,000 | 125 | $68,000 |
| New York, NY | $85,000 | 187 | $45,455 |
| Franklin, TN | $85,000 | 115 | $73,913 |
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 Boston
Boston's cost of living index is 152 (national average = 100). Living in Boston is 52% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$680,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,800
Annual Rent Cost
$33,600
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $64,378 annual take-home pay in Boston has the purchasing power of approximately $42,354 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $129,200 in Boston to match a $85,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Boston
Boston's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $85,000.
Salary Tips for Boston Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Boston has a cost of living 52% 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. Boston's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $85,000 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.
Job Salaries in Boston, MA
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Boston's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Boston salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Boston-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 Boston indexed at 152.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Boston's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $85,000 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 Boston: 3.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Education, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $680,000, median rent $2,800/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Boston, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Boston unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Boston 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. Boston'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 Boston, MA?
The median hourly wage in Boston, MA is $40.87 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $85,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $25.34/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $58.04/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Boston, MA?
The median salary in Boston, MA is $85,000 per year, or $40.87 per hour. The average salary is $96,000. This is $25,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Boston, MA?
Boston's cost of living index is 152 (national average = 100), meaning it is 52% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $680,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,800.
What are the best industries in Boston?
The top industries in Boston, MA include Healthcare, Education, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 2% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $85,000.
How does Boston's salary compare to other cities?
Boston's median salary of $85,000 is 43.1% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 152), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,921.
What is the minimum wage in Boston, MA?
The minimum wage in Boston, 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.