Salary & Cost of Living in Shrewsbury, MA
Shrewsbury, MA: $74,050 median salary, cost of living index 136.9, $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$74,050
$36/hr
Cost of Living
136.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.9%
rate
Shrewsbury, MA Overview
Population
38,326
Median Salary
$74,050
Average Salary
$82,936
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$587,000
Median Rent
$2,367/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Shrewsbury is located in Massachusetts with a population of 38,326. The median household salary is $74,050 per year ($36/hour), which is $14,666 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
Shrewsbury Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Shrewsbury, MA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $74,050 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 | $45,911 | $22.07/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $74,050 | $35.60/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $105,151 | $50.55/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $131,809 | $63.37/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.
Shrewsbury Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Shrewsbury, MA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$56,778
$4,731.47/month · $2,183.76/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.3%
Gross Pay
$74,050
Federal Tax
-$7,905
State Tax
-$3,703
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,665
Net Pay
$56,778
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,170.83 | $74,050.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$658.75 | -$7,905.00 |
| Massachusetts State Tax (5%) | -$308.54 | -$3,702.50 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$382.59 | -$4,591.10 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$89.48 | -$1,073.73 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,731.47 | $56,777.68 |
Salary Comparison: Shrewsbury vs Other Cities
See how Shrewsbury's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrewsbury, MA | $74,050 | 136.9 | $54,091 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Mission Viejo, CA | $74,028 | 145.3 | $50,948 |
| Piscataway, NJ | $74,103 | 126.3 | $58,672 |
| Milford, MA | $74,110 | 120.8 | $61,349 |
| Woodlawn, MD | $74,134 | 106.1 | $69,872 |
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 Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury's cost of living index is 136.9 (national average = 100). Living in Shrewsbury is 36.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$587,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,367
Annual Rent Cost
$28,404
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $56,778 annual take-home pay in Shrewsbury has the purchasing power of approximately $41,474 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $101,374 in Shrewsbury to match a $74,050 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $74,050.
Salary Tips for Shrewsbury Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Shrewsbury has a cost of living 36.900000000000006% 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. Shrewsbury's top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $74,050 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 Shrewsbury salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Shrewsbury-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 Shrewsbury indexed at 136.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Shrewsbury's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $74,050 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 Shrewsbury: 3.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Biotech, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Massachusetts.
- Housing context: median home price $587,000, median rent $2,367/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Shrewsbury, MA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Shrewsbury unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Shrewsbury 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. Shrewsbury'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 Shrewsbury, MA?
The median salary in Shrewsbury, MA is $74,050 per year, or $36 per hour. The average salary is $82,936. This is $14,666 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Shrewsbury, MA?
Shrewsbury's cost of living index is 136.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 36.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $587,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,367.
What are the best industries in Shrewsbury?
The top industries in Shrewsbury, MA include Biotech, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $74,050.
How does Shrewsbury's salary compare to other cities?
Shrewsbury's median salary of $74,050 is 24.7% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 136.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,091.
What is the minimum wage in Shrewsbury, MA?
The minimum wage in Shrewsbury, 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.