Highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts
Answer
Emergency Medicine Physicians have the highest median pay in Massachusetts, $356,230 a year, followed by nurse anesthetists ($295,550) and general internal medicine physicians ($285,250). The median for all jobs in Massachusetts is $63,590, 2nd of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 2nd.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $63,590
- 2nd of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $30.57
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 105.8
- Median worth $60,128 at US prices (2nd)
- Jobs
- 3,637,650
- 679 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Massachusetts, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Massachusetts are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $356,230 | $171.27 | 890 | $335,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Nurse Anesthetists | $295,550 | $142.09 | 500 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 3 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $285,250 | $137.14 | 1,590 | $256,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 4 | Family Medicine Physicians | $277,490 | $133.41 | 3,540 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $272,240 | $130.88 | 620 | $292,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Natural Sciences Managers | $267,290 | $128.51 | 10,590 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $221,710 | $106.59 | 610 | $153,990 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 8 | Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 | 2,310 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 9 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $214,960 | $103.35 | 24,910 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Marketing Managers | $212,020 | $101.93 | 14,270 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Financial Managers | $206,760 | $99.40 | 26,150 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $201,430 | $96.84 | 7,690 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Sales Managers | $191,200 | $91.92 | 15,010 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | $184,070 | $88.50 | 670 | $149,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Human Resources Managers | $181,780 | $87.39 | 7,540 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Dentists, General | $181,600 | $87.31 | 2,780 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 17 | Lawyers | $176,680 | $84.94 | 23,560 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 18 | Public Relations Managers | $171,740 | $82.57 | 2,170 | $146,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Purchasing Managers | $170,750 | $82.09 | 2,160 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $170,510 | $81.97 | 1,760 | $140,300 | Master's degree |
| 21 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $167,600 | $80.58 | 3,150 | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| 22 | Software Developers | $165,210 | $79.43 | 48,190 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $164,410 | — | 750 | $123,920 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 24 | Database Architects | $161,650 | $77.72 | 2,690 | $139,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Computer Network Architects | $155,060 | $74.55 | 6,270 | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $123,830 | $59.53 | 4,310 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $120,840 | $58.10 | 2,050 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $115,150 | $55.36 | 5,490 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $110,210 | $52.99 | 2,350 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,150 | $52.96 | 1,300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Locomotive Engineers | $108,790 | $52.31 | 640 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Rail Car Repairers | $108,680 | $52.25 | 770 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,320 | $50.15 | 5,540 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $103,410 | $49.72 | 7,320 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $103,410 | $49.72 | 2,230 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Glaziers | $100,810 | $48.47 | 1,080 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Power Plant Operators | $100,140 | $48.14 | 880 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Crane and Tower Operators | $98,150 | $47.19 | 680 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,850 | $47.04 | 18,330 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $95,520 | $45.93 | 1,320 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Massachusetts
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 117,940 | $40,910 | $19.67 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | General and Operations Managers | 95,880 | $127,220 | $61.16 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Registered Nurses | 88,200 | $104,550 | $50.27 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Retail Salespersons | 86,860 | $36,610 | $17.60 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 85,810 | $35,850 | $17.24 | No formal educational credential |
| 6 | Cashiers | 58,880 | $35,520 | $17.08 | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 55,490 | $45,580 | $21.91 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Waiters and Waitresses | 54,670 | $38,460 | $18.49 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Customer Service Representatives | 49,990 | $49,120 | $23.61 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 49,760 | $37,540 | $18.05 | No formal educational credential |
| 11 | Software Developers | 48,190 | $165,210 | $79.43 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Office Clerks, General | 47,940 | $49,940 | $24.01 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Accountants and Auditors | 46,230 | $99,460 | $47.82 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 39,710 | $101,810 | $48.95 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 39,210 | $39,380 | — | Some college, no degree |
| 16 | Nursing Assistants | 38,130 | $46,680 | $22.44 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 17 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 37,750 | $57,940 | $27.86 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 34,700 | $44,920 | $21.60 | No formal educational credential |
| 19 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 34,520 | $76,770 | $36.91 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 20 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 32,300 | $83,760 | $40.27 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Massachusetts
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biochemists and Biophysicists | 18.8× | 14,890 | $131,600 |
| 2 | Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | 8.6× | 4,740 | $127,570 |
| 3 | Biological Technicians | 5.2× | 8,430 | $62,070 |
| 4 | Materials Scientists | 4.5× | 890 | $132,600 |
| 5 | Microbiologists | 4.4× | 1,960 | $122,350 |
| 6 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 4.2× | 17,100 | $128,210 |
| 7 | Natural Sciences Managers | 4.2× | 10,590 | $267,290 |
| 8 | Statisticians | 3.6× | 2,480 | $96,710 |
| 9 | Chemical Engineers | 3.0× | 1,460 | $118,000 |
| 10 | Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | 2.9× | 500 | $46,550 |
| 11 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 2.8× | 2,610 | $134,850 |
| 12 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 2.8× | 750 | $164,410 |
What 128 careers pay in Massachusetts
Click a heading to sort
| Radiologist | $426,560 | 14 | $403,340 | $420,860 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $392,300 | 18 | $370,945 | $358,550 | — |
| CRNA | $295,550 | 3 | $279,461 | $236,590 | 500 |
| Pathologist | $285,240 | 20 | $269,713 | $312,400 | 320 |
| OB-GYN | $272,240 | 29 | $257,420 | $292,910 | 620 |
| Judge | $221,710 | 2 | $209,641 | $153,990 | 610 |
| Pediatrician | $221,170 | 17 | $209,130 | $210,040 | 2,310 |
| Marketing Manager | $212,020 | 1 | $200,478 | $166,790 | 14,270 |
| HR Manager | $181,780 | 2 | $171,885 | $149,280 | 7,540 |
| Dentist | $181,600 | 15 | $171,714 | $170,950 | 2,780 |
| Lawyer | $176,680 | 4 | $167,062 | $159,670 | 23,560 |
| Computer Engineer | $167,600 | 3 | $158,477 | $161,740 | 3,150 |
| Software Engineer | $165,210 | 4 | $156,217 | $135,980 | 48,190 |
| Nurse Midwife | $159,800 | 3 | $151,101 | $134,040 | 280 |
| Network Engineer | $155,060 | 5 | $146,619 | $134,050 | 6,270 |
| Optometrist | $151,730 | 12 | $143,470 | $136,570 | 950 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $149,470 | 7 | $141,333 | $134,960 | 990 |
| Construction Manager | $145,010 | 3 | $137,116 | $114,990 | 9,870 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,440 | 7 | $134,686 | $132,300 | 8,070 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | 10 | $134,658 | $135,880 | 4,470 |
| Veterinarian | $140,260 | 6 | $132,625 | $130,100 | 1,920 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $138,420 | 5 | $130,885 | $109,910 | — |
| Pharmacist | $138,170 | 32 | $130,649 | $140,910 | 7,230 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $136,550 | 5 | $129,117 | $129,180 | 6,100 |
| Business Analyst | $134,720 | 1 | $127,386 | $101,860 | 30,060 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $134,360 | 10 | $127,046 | $123,860 | 17,600 |
| Data Scientist | $131,750 | 5 | $124,578 | $120,230 | 9,420 |
| School Principal | $128,430 | 11 | $121,439 | $105,870 | 10,570 |
| Electrical Engineer | $127,720 | 8 | $120,767 | $120,630 | 5,040 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $127,570 | 5 | $120,626 | $109,370 | 4,740 |
| Operations Manager | $127,220 | 9 | $120,295 | $105,770 | 95,880 |
| Actuary | $126,040 | 20 | $119,179 | $130,000 | — |
| Financial Advisor | $125,670 | 6 | $118,829 | $105,070 | — |
| Air Traffic Controller | $125,060 | 26 | $118,252 | $148,080 | 120 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $119,300 | 9 | $112,806 | $104,110 | 7,680 |
| Chemical Engineer | $118,000 | 16 | $111,577 | $125,040 | 1,460 |
| Architect | $117,330 | 2 | $110,943 | $99,280 | 4,590 |
| Psychologist | $115,180 | 10 | $108,910 | $100,580 | 2,860 |
| Project Manager | $114,190 | 7 | $107,974 | $102,320 | 21,960 |
| UX Designer | $113,540 | 4 | $107,359 | $104,000 | 2,740 |
| Financial Analyst | $111,040 | 4 | $104,995 | $102,740 | 14,790 |
| MRI Technician | $110,600 | 8 | $104,579 | $95,480 | 1,490 |
| Lineman | $110,210 | 10 | $104,211 | $95,320 | 2,350 |
| Detective | $110,150 | 10 | $104,154 | $93,790 | 1,300 |
| Meteorologist | $108,050 | 16 | $102,168 | $99,070 | — |
| Ultrasound Technician | $107,480 | 7 | $101,629 | $96,590 | 2,190 |
| Civil Engineer | $106,730 | 4 | $100,920 | $100,840 | 9,450 |
| Radiation Therapist | $106,300 | 14 | $100,513 | $105,310 | 330 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $105,580 | 3 | $99,833 | $74,310 | 1,110 |
| Registered Nurse | $104,550 | 8 | $98,859 | $97,550 | 88,200 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $104,550 | 8 | $98,859 | $97,550 | 88,200 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $104,550 | 8 | $98,859 | $97,550 | 88,200 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $104,550 | 8 | $98,859 | $97,550 | 88,200 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $104,550 | 8 | $98,859 | $97,550 | 88,200 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $104,550 | 8 | $98,859 | $97,550 | 88,200 |
| Audiologist | $104,130 | 12 | $98,462 | $95,780 | 220 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,790 | 11 | $98,140 | $102,760 | 6,850 |
| Radiology Technician | $103,620 | 2 | $97,979 | $80,110 | 5,500 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $102,170 | 4 | $96,608 | $82,280 | 2,220 |
| Loan Officer | $101,600 | 1 | $96,069 | $76,690 | 4,470 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $101,310 | 11 | $95,795 | $97,870 | 5,290 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,930 | 19 | $95,436 | $100,330 | 6,510 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,640 | 16 | $95,162 | $98,100 | 6,850 |
| Accountant | $99,460 | 4 | $94,046 | $83,680 | 46,230 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | 11 | $93,299 | $95,990 | 3,300 |
| Web Developer | $98,470 | 10 | $93,110 | $92,650 | 1,940 |
| Crane Operator | $98,150 | 6 | $92,807 | $68,080 | 680 |
| High School Teacher | $95,260 | 4 | $90,074 | $72,040 | 28,460 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $94,000 | 4 | $88,883 | $63,970 | 29,930 |
| Plumber | $93,880 | 6 | $88,770 | $63,800 | 13,460 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $93,040 | 7 | $87,975 | $79,870 | 1,410 |
| Correctional Officer | $86,310 | 3 | $81,612 | $58,940 | 6,360 |
| HR Specialist | $85,630 | 2 | $80,969 | $75,940 | 27,300 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $84,350 | 9 | $79,758 | $76,780 | 470 |
| Claims Adjuster | $83,740 | 11 | $79,182 | $78,000 | 5,070 |
| Surgical Technician | $80,870 | 4 | $76,468 | $64,650 | 2,220 |
| LPN | $80,220 | 4 | $75,853 | $64,400 | 13,210 |
| Interior Designer | $80,110 | 4 | $75,749 | $67,190 | 1,580 |
| Court Reporter | $79,940 | 9 | $75,588 | $72,420 | 50 |
| School Counselor | $79,930 | 5 | $75,579 | $64,330 | 11,460 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $79,460 | 2 | $75,135 | $68,380 | 2,640 |
| Electrician | $79,420 | 6 | $75,097 | $63,190 | 17,810 |
| Forensic Scientist | $79,320 | 11 | $75,002 | $72,060 | 290 |
| Insurance Agent | $79,300 | 5 | $74,983 | $62,280 | 9,940 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $79,120 | 4 | $74,813 | $62,930 | 10,850 |
| Police Officer | $78,940 | 15 | $74,643 | $76,210 | 17,040 |
| Librarian | $78,540 | 9 | $74,265 | $68,270 | 4,980 |
| Paralegal | $77,640 | 4 | $73,414 | $62,890 | 7,800 |
| HVAC Technician | $77,300 | 4 | $73,092 | $61,010 | 8,200 |
| Graphic Designer | $76,710 | 4 | $72,534 | $62,960 | 4,450 |
| Nutritionist | $76,660 | 16 | $72,487 | $76,400 | 2,860 |
| Chiropractor | $75,940 | 32 | $71,806 | $79,200 | 780 |
| Carpenter | $75,200 | 4 | $71,106 | $60,580 | 18,540 |
| IT Support Specialist | $75,070 | 4 | $70,983 | $61,860 | 17,570 |
| TSA Officer | $73,510 | 4 | $69,508 | $66,770 | 1,380 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $73,270 | 6 | $69,281 | $61,770 | 4,870 |
| Firefighter | $72,800 | 11 | $68,837 | $59,280 | 11,940 |
| Athletic Trainer | $70,010 | 6 | $66,199 | $62,520 | 630 |
| Chef | $69,540 | 11 | $65,755 | $62,470 | 6,000 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $67,370 | 15 | $63,703 | $66,940 | 600 |
| Paramedic | $66,340 | 12 | $62,729 | $60,600 | 1,860 |
| Bus Driver | $65,460 | 6 | $61,897 | $59,050 | 3,970 |
| Personal Trainer | $64,620 | 1 | $61,102 | $47,160 | 9,200 |
| Massage Therapist | $63,390 | 11 | $59,939 | $58,450 | 2,830 |
| Construction Worker | $63,390 | 3 | $59,939 | $47,120 | 16,210 |
| Truck Driver | $63,030 | 5 | $59,599 | $58,640 | 30,890 |
| Welder | $62,570 | 6 | $59,164 | $53,750 | 2,830 |
| Mortician | $62,120 | 9 | $58,738 | $55,010 | 430 |
| Mail Carrier | $62,070 | 7 | $58,691 | $60,550 | 7,630 |
| Flight Attendant | $61,510 | 12 | $58,162 | $63,580 | 4,390 |
| Auto Mechanic | $60,760 | 5 | $57,452 | $50,620 | 12,710 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $60,350 | 10 | $57,065 | $51,140 | 3,500 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $59,890 | 24 | $56,630 | $59,350 | 18,190 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $58,580 | 3 | $55,391 | $47,700 | 1,900 |
| Dental Assistant | $57,980 | 7 | $54,824 | $48,070 | 9,680 |
| Garbage Collector | $50,310 | 20 | $47,571 | $49,690 | 1,010 |
| Private Investigator | $50,240 | 25 | $47,505 | $51,220 | 280 |
| EMT | $50,230 | 7 | $47,496 | $44,470 | 4,550 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,170 | 4 | $47,439 | $45,230 | 2,580 |
| Vet Tech | $49,540 | 13 | $46,843 | $47,380 | 3,990 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,460 | 7 | $46,768 | $45,690 | 14,880 |
| Esthetician | $47,310 | 14 | $44,735 | $45,330 | 1,360 |
| CNA | $46,680 | 11 | $44,139 | $42,260 | 38,130 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,470 | 21 | $43,940 | $45,750 | 10,150 |
| Substitute Teacher | $41,350 | 16 | $39,099 | $41,670 | 8,410 |
| Bartender | $37,440 | 14 | $35,402 | $34,340 | 19,850 |
| Cosmetologist | $37,290 | 14 | $35,260 | $35,790 | 9,600 |
| Nail Technician | $35,470 | 27 | $33,539 | $35,760 | 4,660 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.