Lexington Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Lexington, MA: $36.17/hr median hourly wage, $75,229 median annual salary, cost of living index 132.9, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Massachusetts taxes.
Lexington Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Lexington, MA is $36.17/hr, equivalent to $75,229 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $22.43/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $51.36/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$75,229
$36.17/hr
Cost of Living
132.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.3%
rate
Lexington, MA Overview
Population
33,635
Median Salary
$75,229
Average Salary
$84,256
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$498,000
Median Rent
$2,009/mo
Job Growth
+2.2%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Lexington is located in Massachusetts with a population of 33,635. The median household salary is $75,229 per year ($36.17/hour), which is $15,845 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.2%.
Lexington Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Lexington, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $75,229 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 | $46,642 | $22.43/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $75,229 | $36.17/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $106,825 | $51.36/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $133,908 | $64.38/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.
Lexington Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Lexington, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$57,992
$4,832.68/month · $2,230.47/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.9%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,230.47 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
$75,229
Federal Tax
-$7,720
State Tax
-$3,761
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,755
Net Pay
$57,992
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,269.08 | $75,229.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$643.37 | -$7,720.38 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$313.45 | -$3,761.45 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$388.68 | -$4,664.20 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$90.90 | -$1,090.82 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,832.68 | $57,992.15 |
Salary Comparison: Lexington vs Other Cities
See how Lexington's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, MA | $75,229 | 132.9 | $56,606 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $75,200 | 166 | $45,301 |
| Linden, NJ | $75,170 | 115.9 | $64,858 |
| Pearland, TX | $75,132 | 98.5 | $76,276 |
| Attleboro, MA | $75,345 | 127.3 | $59,187 |
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 Lexington
Lexington's cost of living index is 132.9 (national average = 100). Living in Lexington is 32.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$498,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,009
Annual Rent Cost
$24,108
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $57,992 annual take-home pay in Lexington has the purchasing power of approximately $43,636 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $99,979 in Lexington to match a $75,229 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Lexington
Lexington's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $75,229.
Salary Tips for Lexington Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Lexington has a cost of living 32.900000000000006% 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. Lexington's top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $75,229 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 Lexington salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Lexington-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 Lexington indexed at 132.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Lexington's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $75,229 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 Lexington: 3.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Biotech, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $498,000, median rent $2,009/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Lexington, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Lexington unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Lexington 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. Lexington'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 Lexington, MA?
The median hourly wage in Lexington, MA is $36.17 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $75,229 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $22.43/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $51.36/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Lexington, MA?
The median salary in Lexington, MA is $75,229 per year, or $36.17 per hour. The average salary is $84,256. This is $15,845 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Lexington, MA?
Lexington's cost of living index is 132.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 32.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $498,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,009.
What are the best industries in Lexington?
The top industries in Lexington, MA include Biotech, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 2.2% and an unemployment rate of 3.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $75,229.
How does Lexington's salary compare to other cities?
Lexington's median salary of $75,229 is 26.7% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 132.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $56,606.
What is the minimum wage in Lexington, MA?
The minimum wage in Lexington, 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.