Massachusetts Salaries 2025
Biotech capital with Harvard, MIT, and world-class healthcare
Median Household Income
Massachusetts Salary Overview 2025
Massachusetts is America's biotech and healthcare capital, home to the world's greatest concentration of universities and research institutions. The median household income of $89,000 ranks among the nation's highest, though elevated costs (135 index) and the new 9% "millionaire's tax" on income above $1M create considerations.
Greater Boston/Cambridge is the global epicenter of biotechnology. Moderna, Biogen, Vertex, and hundreds of biotech companies cluster around Kendall Square. Harvard, MIT, and Boston's medical schools create an unmatched talent pipeline. Healthcare giants (Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel) employ tens of thousands.
Massachusetts offers exceptional career opportunities in biotech, healthcare, tech, finance, and education. The tradeoff is high housing costs ($620,000+ median in Greater Boston) and cold winters. For those in high-paying fields, the opportunities justify the costs. For comprehensive data, see salary trends 2025.
Salaries by Massachusetts Region
Boston / Cambridge
Median Household Income: $85,000
The urban core with Kendall Square (biotech), Financial District, and Back Bay. Biotech scientists $90,000-$180,000, software engineers $100,000-$170,000, finance $80,000-$200,000+. Housing extremely expensive ($700,000+ median, $3,000+ rents). World-class public transit (by US standards).
Cambridge / Somerville
Median Household Income: $105,000
Home to Harvard, MIT, and Kendall Square biotech hub. Highest concentration of PhDs globally. Tech and biotech dominate. Very expensive ($900,000+ median homes) but walkable with excellent quality of life for those who can afford it.
MetroWest (Route 128)
Median Household Income: $120,000
Wealthy suburbs (Newton, Wellesley, Lexington) with excellent schools. Tech companies along Route 128. More affordable than Cambridge while still expensive ($800,000-$1.2M median). Family-oriented with top public schools.
Worcester
Median Household Income: $55,000
Central Massachusetts hub. Healthcare (UMass Memorial), education, and manufacturing. Much more affordable ($350,000 median). Growing as Boston overflow—commutable via commuter rail.
Springfield / Western MA
Median Household Income: $48,000
More affordable ($260,000 median) with insurance (MassMutual), healthcare, and education. Lower incomes but significantly lower costs create comparable purchasing power.
| Region | Median Income | Median Home | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | $105,000 | $900,000 | Biotech, Tech, Academia |
| Boston | $85,000 | $700,000 | Finance, Healthcare, Tech |
| MetroWest | $120,000 | $950,000 | Tech, Professional Services |
| Worcester | $55,000 | $350,000 | Healthcare, Education |
| Springfield | $48,000 | $260,000 | Insurance, Healthcare |
Top Industries in Massachusetts
Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Massachusetts is the global biotech capital. Moderna, Biogen, Vertex, Sarepta, and 1,000+ companies cluster around Cambridge. Research scientists $90,000-$150,000, senior scientists $130,000-$200,000, directors $180,000-$300,000+. PhDs command significant premiums. The industry offers equity upside at startups and stability at established firms.
Healthcare
Mass General Brigham (including MGH, Brigham & Women's), Beth Israel, Boston Children's—world-renowned institutions. Physicians $280,000-$500,000+, nurses $75,000-$100,000, researchers $70,000-$150,000. Academic medicine pays less than private practice but offers prestige and research opportunities.
Technology
HubSpot, Wayfair, Toast, DraftKings, and numerous startups. Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have Boston offices. Software engineers $100,000-$180,000, product managers $110,000-$170,000. Not quite Silicon Valley scale but growing rapidly.
Higher Education
Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Northeastern, Tufts, BC—extraordinary concentration. Faculty salaries vary by field and rank ($80,000-$250,000+). Administration, research, and support roles add thousands of positions.
Financial Services
Fidelity Investments (Boston HQ), State Street, Wellington, Putnam. Asset management dominates. Analysts $70,000-$120,000, portfolio managers $150,000-$400,000+, quants $120,000-$250,000.
| Industry | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotech (PhD Scientist) | $95,000 | $140,000 | $200,000+ |
| Software Engineering | $90,000 | $140,000 | $190,000+ |
| Healthcare (Physicians) | $280,000 | $380,000 | $500,000+ |
| Finance (Asset Mgmt) | $80,000 | $150,000 | $300,000+ |
Massachusetts Tax Analysis
Base Rate: 5% flat income tax
Millionaire's Tax (2023+): Additional 4% surtax on income above $1,000,000
Total top rate: 9% on income above $1M
| Income | MA Tax | NH Tax (0%) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $5,000 | $0 | $5,000 |
| $200,000 | $10,000 | $0 | $10,000 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $0 | $25,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $95,000 | $0 | $95,000 |
The millionaire's tax has prompted some high earners to consider New Hampshire, though most remain for Boston's career opportunities.
Highest Paying Jobs in Massachusetts 2025
| Occupation | Average Salary | Top 10% Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians/Surgeons | $320,000 | $500,000+ |
| Biotech Directors | $220,000 | $350,000+ |
| Software Architects | $175,000 | $230,000+ |
| Portfolio Managers | $200,000 | $400,000+ |
| IT Directors | $170,000 | $220,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massachusetts worth the high cost?
For biotech, healthcare, and tech careers—yes. Salaries are 20-40% above national averages, and career opportunities are unmatched in these fields. For average-income workers, the math is harder. Many live outside Route 128 or in Worcester for affordability.
Boston vs. New York for finance?
New York dominates investment banking and trading. Boston leads in asset management (Fidelity, Wellington, State Street). For mutual funds and institutional investing, Boston is the place. For Wall Street banking, NYC is essential.
How bad are the winters?
Cold and snowy—January averages 28°F with 40+ inches of snow annually. Those from warm climates struggle initially. Good public transit (by US standards) helps, and the "winter is coming" mentality is part of New England culture.