Salary & Cost of Living in Fitchburg, MA
Fitchburg, MA: $69,033 median salary, cost of living index 125.5, $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$69,033
$33/hr
Cost of Living
125.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
Fitchburg, MA Overview
Population
40,383
Median Salary
$69,033
Average Salary
$77,317
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$486,000
Median Rent
$1,964/mo
Job Growth
+2.8%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Fitchburg is located in Massachusetts with a population of 40,383. The median household salary is $69,033 per year ($33/hour), which is $9,649 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.8%.
Fitchburg Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Fitchburg, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $69,033 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 | $42,800 | $20.58/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $69,033 | $33.19/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $98,027 | $47.13/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $122,879 | $59.08/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.
Fitchburg Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Fitchburg, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$53,499
$4,458.26/month · $2,057.66/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.5%
Gross Pay
$69,033
Federal Tax
-$6,801
State Tax
-$3,452
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,281
Net Pay
$53,499
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,752.75 | $69,033.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$566.77 | -$6,801.26 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$287.64 | -$3,451.65 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$356.67 | -$4,280.05 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$83.41 | -$1,000.98 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,458.26 | $53,499.07 |
Salary Comparison: Fitchburg vs Other Cities
See how Fitchburg's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitchburg, MA | $69,033 | 125.5 | $55,006 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Enfield, CT | $69,043 | 102.1 | $67,623 |
| Salisbury, MD | $69,017 | 111.3 | $62,010 |
| Pasadena, MD | $69,008 | 112.5 | $61,340 |
| Salem, NH | $69,093 | 114.9 | $60,133 |
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 Fitchburg
Fitchburg's cost of living index is 125.5 (national average = 100). Living in Fitchburg is 25.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$486,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,964
Annual Rent Cost
$23,568
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $53,499 annual take-home pay in Fitchburg has the purchasing power of approximately $42,629 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $86,636 in Fitchburg to match a $69,033 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Fitchburg
Fitchburg's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $69,033.
Salary Tips for Fitchburg Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Fitchburg has a cost of living 25.5% 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. Fitchburg's top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $69,033 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 Fitchburg salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Fitchburg-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 Fitchburg indexed at 125.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Fitchburg's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $69,033 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 Fitchburg: 3.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Biotech, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $486,000, median rent $1,964/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Fitchburg, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Fitchburg unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Fitchburg 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. Fitchburg'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 Fitchburg, MA?
The median salary in Fitchburg, MA is $69,033 per year, or $33 per hour. The average salary is $77,317. This is $9,649 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Fitchburg, MA?
Fitchburg's cost of living index is 125.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 25.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $486,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,964.
What are the best industries in Fitchburg?
The top industries in Fitchburg, MA include Biotech, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 2.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $69,033.
How does Fitchburg's salary compare to other cities?
Fitchburg's median salary of $69,033 is 16.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 125.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,006.
What is the minimum wage in Fitchburg, MA?
The minimum wage in Fitchburg, 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.