Northampton Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Northampton, MA: $36.45/hr median hourly wage, $75,812 median annual salary, cost of living index 132.1, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Massachusetts taxes.
Northampton Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Northampton, MA is $36.45/hr, equivalent to $75,812 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $22.60/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $51.76/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$75,812
$36.45/hr
Cost of Living
132.1
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.1%
rate
Northampton, MA Overview
Population
28,726
Median Salary
$75,812
Average Salary
$84,909
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$595,000
Median Rent
$2,394/mo
Job Growth
+2.6%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Northampton is located in Massachusetts with a population of 28,726. The median household salary is $75,812 per year ($36.45/hour), which is $16,428 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.6%.
Northampton Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Northampton, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $75,812 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 | $47,003 | $22.60/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $75,812 | $36.45/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $107,653 | $51.76/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $134,945 | $64.88/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.
Northampton Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Northampton, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$58,373
$4,864.43/month · $2,245.12/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.0%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,245.12 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
$75,812
Federal Tax
-$7,849
State Tax
-$3,791
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,800
Net Pay
$58,373
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,317.67 | $75,812.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$654.05 | -$7,848.64 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$315.88 | -$3,790.60 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$391.70 | -$4,700.34 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$91.61 | -$1,099.27 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,864.43 | $58,373.14 |
Salary Comparison: Northampton vs Other Cities
See how Northampton's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton, MA | $75,812 | 132.1 | $57,390 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Plainfield, NJ | $75,796 | 125.6 | $60,347 |
| Passaic, NJ | $75,843 | 128.3 | $59,114 |
| Simi Valley, CA | $75,731 | 155.6 | $48,670 |
| Olathe, KS | $76,000 | 100 | $76,000 |
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 Northampton
Northampton's cost of living index is 132.1 (national average = 100). Living in Northampton is 32.099999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$595,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,394
Annual Rent Cost
$28,728
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $58,373 annual take-home pay in Northampton has the purchasing power of approximately $44,189 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $100,148 in Northampton to match a $75,812 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Northampton
Northampton's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $75,812.
Salary Tips for Northampton Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Northampton has a cost of living 32.099999999999994% 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. Northampton's top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $75,812 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 Northampton salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Northampton-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 Northampton indexed at 132.1.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Northampton's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $75,812 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 Northampton: 3.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Biotech, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $595,000, median rent $2,394/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Northampton, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Northampton unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Northampton 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. Northampton'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 Northampton, MA?
The median hourly wage in Northampton, MA is $36.45 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $75,812 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $22.60/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $51.76/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Northampton, MA?
The median salary in Northampton, MA is $75,812 per year, or $36.45 per hour. The average salary is $84,909. This is $16,428 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Northampton, MA?
Northampton's cost of living index is 132.1 (national average = 100), meaning it is 32.099999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $595,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,394.
What are the best industries in Northampton?
The top industries in Northampton, MA include Biotech, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 2.6% and an unemployment rate of 3.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $75,812.
How does Northampton's salary compare to other cities?
Northampton's median salary of $75,812 is 27.7% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 132.1), the real purchasing power is approximately $57,390.
What is the minimum wage in Northampton, MA?
The minimum wage in Northampton, 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.