Salary & Cost of Living in Chelmsford, MA
Chelmsford, MA: $71,999 median salary, cost of living index 127.9, $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$71,999
$35/hr
Cost of Living
127.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Chelmsford, MA Overview
Population
35,085
Median Salary
$71,999
Average Salary
$80,639
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$577,000
Median Rent
$2,326/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Chelmsford is located in Massachusetts with a population of 35,085. The median household salary is $71,999 per year ($35/hour), which is $12,615 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
Chelmsford Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Chelmsford, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $71,999 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 | $44,639 | $21.46/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $71,999 | $34.61/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $102,239 | $49.15/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $128,158 | $61.61/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.
Chelmsford Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Chelmsford, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$55,437
$4,619.78/month · $2,132.21/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.0%
Gross Pay
$71,999
Federal Tax
-$7,454
State Tax
-$3,600
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,508
Net Pay
$55,437
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,999.92 | $71,999.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$621.15 | -$7,453.78 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$300.00 | -$3,599.95 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$371.99 | -$4,463.94 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$87.00 | -$1,043.99 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,619.78 | $55,437.35 |
Salary Comparison: Chelmsford vs Other Cities
See how Chelmsford's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelmsford, MA | $71,999 | 127.9 | $56,293 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Chula Vista, CA | $72,000 | 140 | $51,429 |
| Elk Grove, CA | $72,000 | 115 | $62,609 |
| Roseville, CA | $72,000 | 115 | $62,609 |
| Arvada, CO | $72,000 | 110 | $65,455 |
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 Chelmsford
Chelmsford's cost of living index is 127.9 (national average = 100). Living in Chelmsford is 27.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$577,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,326
Annual Rent Cost
$27,912
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $55,437 annual take-home pay in Chelmsford has the purchasing power of approximately $43,344 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $92,087 in Chelmsford to match a $71,999 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Chelmsford
Chelmsford's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $71,999.
Salary Tips for Chelmsford Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Chelmsford has a cost of living 27.900000000000006% 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. Chelmsford's top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $71,999 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 Chelmsford salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Chelmsford-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 Chelmsford indexed at 127.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Chelmsford's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $71,999 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 Chelmsford: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Biotech, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $577,000, median rent $2,326/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Chelmsford, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Chelmsford unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Chelmsford 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. Chelmsford'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 median salary in Chelmsford, MA?
The median salary in Chelmsford, MA is $71,999 per year, or $35 per hour. The average salary is $80,639. This is $12,615 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Chelmsford, MA?
Chelmsford's cost of living index is 127.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 27.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $577,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,326.
What are the best industries in Chelmsford?
The top industries in Chelmsford, MA include Biotech, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $71,999.
How does Chelmsford's salary compare to other cities?
Chelmsford's median salary of $71,999 is 21.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 127.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $56,293.
What is the minimum wage in Chelmsford, MA?
The minimum wage in Chelmsford, 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.