Medford Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Medford, MA: $34.81/hr median hourly wage, $72,402 median annual salary, cost of living index 128.4, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Massachusetts taxes.
Medford Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Medford, MA is $34.81/hr, equivalent to $72,402 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $21.58/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $49.43/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$72,402
$34.81/hr
Cost of Living
128.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.1%
rate
Medford, MA Overview
Population
59,415
Median Salary
$72,402
Average Salary
$81,090
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$649,000
Median Rent
$2,626/mo
Job Growth
+0.7%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Medford is located in Massachusetts with a population of 59,415. The median household salary is $72,402 per year ($34.81/hour), which is $13,018 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.7%.
Medford Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Medford, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $72,402 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 | $44,889 | $21.58/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $72,402 | $34.81/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $102,811 | $49.43/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $128,876 | $61.96/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.
Medford Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Medford, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$56,145
$4,678.73/month · $2,159.41/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.5%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,159.41 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
$72,402
Federal Tax
-$7,098
State Tax
-$3,620
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,539
Net Pay
$56,145
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,033.50 | $72,402.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$591.54 | -$7,098.44 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$301.68 | -$3,620.10 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$374.08 | -$4,488.92 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$87.49 | -$1,049.83 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,678.73 | $56,144.71 |
Salary Comparison: Medford vs Other Cities
See how Medford's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford, MA | $72,402 | 128.4 | $56,388 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Marlboro, NJ | $72,353 | 113.1 | $63,973 |
| Peabody, MA | $72,474 | 140.5 | $51,583 |
| Neptune, NJ | $72,321 | 115.7 | $62,507 |
| Thousand Oaks, CA | $72,316 | 156.7 | $46,149 |
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 Medford
Medford's cost of living index is 128.4 (national average = 100). Living in Medford is 28.400000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$649,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,626
Annual Rent Cost
$31,512
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $56,145 annual take-home pay in Medford has the purchasing power of approximately $43,726 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $92,964 in Medford to match a $72,402 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Medford
Medford's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $72,402.
Salary Tips for Medford Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Medford has a cost of living 28.400000000000006% 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. Medford's top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $72,402 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 Medford salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Medford-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 Medford indexed at 128.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Medford's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $72,402 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 Medford: 4.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Biotech, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $649,000, median rent $2,626/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Medford, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Medford unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Medford 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. Medford'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 Medford, MA?
The median hourly wage in Medford, MA is $34.81 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $72,402 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $21.58/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $49.43/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Medford, MA?
The median salary in Medford, MA is $72,402 per year, or $34.81 per hour. The average salary is $81,090. This is $13,018 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Medford, MA?
Medford's cost of living index is 128.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 28.400000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $649,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,626.
What are the best industries in Medford?
The top industries in Medford, MA include Biotech, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 0.7% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $72,402.
How does Medford's salary compare to other cities?
Medford's median salary of $72,402 is 21.9% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 128.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $56,388.
What is the minimum wage in Medford, MA?
The minimum wage in Medford, 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.