Gloucester Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Gloucester, MA: $29.29/hr median hourly wage, $60,925 median annual salary, cost of living index 126.6, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Massachusetts taxes.
Gloucester Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Gloucester, MA is $29.29/hr, equivalent to $60,925 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.16/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $41.59/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$60,925
$29.29/hr
Cost of Living
126.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.1%
rate
Gloucester, MA Overview
Population
30,273
Median Salary
$60,925
Average Salary
$68,236
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Rent
$2,055/mo
Job Growth
+1.9%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Gloucester is located in Massachusetts with a population of 30,273. The median household salary is $60,925 per year ($29.29/hour), which is $1,541 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.9%.
Gloucester Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Gloucester, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,925 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 | $37,774 | $18.16/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,925 | $29.29/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $86,514 | $41.59/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $108,447 | $52.14/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.
Gloucester Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Gloucester, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$48,087
$4,007.25/month · $1,849.50/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.1%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,849.50 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
$60,925
Federal Tax
-$5,131
State Tax
-$3,046
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,661
Net Pay
$48,087
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,077.08 | $60,925.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$427.58 | -$5,131.00 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$253.85 | -$3,046.25 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$314.78 | -$3,777.35 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$73.62 | -$883.41 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,007.25 | $48,086.99 |
Salary Comparison: Gloucester vs Other Cities
See how Gloucester's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucester, MA | $60,925 | 126.6 | $48,124 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Ridgecrest, CA | $60,922 | 144.5 | $42,161 |
| Petaluma, CA | $60,905 | 149.1 | $40,848 |
| Marlborough, MA | $60,950 | 121.7 | $50,082 |
| Amherst, NY | $60,960 | 131 | $46,534 |
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 Gloucester
Gloucester's cost of living index is 126.6 (national average = 100). Living in Gloucester is 26.599999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,055
Annual Rent Cost
$24,660
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $48,087 annual take-home pay in Gloucester has the purchasing power of approximately $37,983 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $77,131 in Gloucester to match a $60,925 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Gloucester
Gloucester's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,925.
Salary Tips for Gloucester Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Gloucester has a cost of living 26.599999999999994% 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. Gloucester's top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,925 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 Gloucester salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Gloucester-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 Gloucester indexed at 126.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Gloucester's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,925 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 Gloucester: 4.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Biotech, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $510,000, median rent $2,055/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Gloucester, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Gloucester unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gloucester 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. Gloucester'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 Gloucester, MA?
The median hourly wage in Gloucester, MA is $29.29 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $60,925 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.16/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $41.59/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Gloucester, MA?
The median salary in Gloucester, MA is $60,925 per year, or $29.29 per hour. The average salary is $68,236. This is $1,541 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Gloucester, MA?
Gloucester's cost of living index is 126.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 26.599999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $510,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,055.
What are the best industries in Gloucester?
The top industries in Gloucester, MA include Biotech, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,925.
How does Gloucester's salary compare to other cities?
Gloucester's median salary of $60,925 is 2.6% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 126.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $48,124.
What is the minimum wage in Gloucester, MA?
The minimum wage in Gloucester, 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.