Salaries in Cambridge, MA
What is the average salary in Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge, MA offers competitive salaries across various job sectors. The average salary in the area is around $83,213. This figure reflects the diverse economic opportunities available. Higher-paying jobs often require specialized skills or advanced degrees.
Some of the top-paying jobs in Cambridge include:
- Software developers earn around $123,564.
- Data scientists make about $141,786.
- Financial managers earn approximately $160,009.
- Marketing managers can expect to make around $178,232.
- Physicians and surgeons earn over $214,677.
These figures show that Cambridge provides a range of high-paying job opportunities for skilled professionals.
What are the best paying jobs in Cambridge, MA?

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Regulatory Affairs Director
Average Salary: $193,374
This role involves ensuring compliance with regulations. It requires strong communication skills. Companies like Biogen and Moderna often seek such professionals.
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Principal Scientist
Average Salary: $148,770
Principal scientists conduct research and develop new products. They work closely with teams to achieve goals. Companies like Novartis and Pfizer offer such positions.
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Software Engineer
Average Salary: $135,201
Software engineers design and develop applications. They need strong coding skills. Tech firms like Google and Microsoft often hire for these roles.
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Director
Average Salary: $133,378
Directors oversee operations and manage teams. They need strong leadership skills. Companies like Charles River Laboratories and Genzyme look for such candidates.
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Engineer
Average Salary: $128,553
Engineers design and develop systems. They need strong problem-solving skills. Companies like Raytheon and IBM often seek engineers.
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Traveling Nurse
Average Salary: $123,814
Traveling nurses provide care in various locations. They need flexibility and strong clinical skills. Agencies like Aya Healthcare and TravelNurseSource offer such opportunities.
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Technical Project Lead
Average Salary: $117,731
Technical project leads manage projects and teams. They need strong organizational skills. Companies like Akamai Technologies and Epsilon look for such professionals.
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Dental Hygienist
Average Salary: $109,874
Dental hygienists clean teeth and educate patients. They need strong communication skills. Practices like Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Tufts Dental Faculty offer such positions.
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Program Manager
Average Salary: $108,922
Program managers oversee projects and ensure they meet goals. They need strong leadership skills. Companies like Fidelity Investments and Charles River Laboratories often hire for these roles.
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Scientist
Average Salary: $107,487
Scientists conduct research and experiments. They need strong analytical skills. Companies like Biogen and Novartis offer such positions.
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What are the best paying jobs in Cambridge, MA without a degree?

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Server
Average Salary: $49,821
Work in a fast-paced environment, taking orders and serving food. Gain experience in hospitality. Companies like Legal Sea Foods and The Capital Grille offer opportunities.
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Service Team Member
Average Salary: $45,961
Provide excellent customer service. Learn about food preparation and customer interaction. Companies such as Panera Bread and Starbucks offer roles.
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Floor Tech
Average Salary: $42,864
Maintain cleanliness and safety of the premises. Work in gyms and fitness centers. Companies like Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness offer positions.
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Line Cook
Average Salary: $41,210
Prepare ingredients and cook food in a fast-paced kitchen. Gain experience in food preparation. Companies like Legal Sea Foods and The Capital Grille offer roles.
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Barista
Average Salary: $39,714
Make coffee and other beverages. Learn about customer service and product knowledge. Companies like Starbucks and Peet's Coffee offer positions.
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Beauty Consultant
Average Salary: $39,435
Help customers choose beauty products. Provide product demonstrations and advice. Companies like Ulta Beauty and Sephora offer roles.
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Housekeeping
Average Salary: $39,166
Clean and maintain rooms in hotels and motels. Learn about attention to detail and customer service. Companies like Hilton and Marriott offer positions.
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Server Assistant
Average Salary: $37,950
Assist servers in taking orders and serving food. Gain experience in hospitality. Companies like Legal Sea Foods and The Capital Grille offer roles.
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Bar Back
Average Salary: $37,836
Support bartenders by stocking drinks and cleaning. Learn about bar operations. Companies like local bars and restaurants offer positions.
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Food Service Aide
Average Salary: $36,340
Assist in food preparation and service. Gain experience in a kitchen environment. Companies like schools and hospitals offer roles.
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Which companies offer the top salaries in Cambridge, MA?

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HubSpot
Average Salary: $176,623
HubSpot is a leading CRM platform that helps companies attract, engage, and delight customers. It offers a full suite of marketing, sales, and customer service software.
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Sanofi
Average Salary: $170,036
Sanofi is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. It develops and markets medicines in various therapeutic areas.
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Novartis
Average Salary: $169,411
Novartis is a leading global medicines company. It innovates to discover new ways to improve and extend people's lives.
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Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Average Salary: $168,493
Takeda is a research-based global company that delivers innovative medicines to patients in need. It focuses on gastroenterology, oncology, neuroscience, and other areas.
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IPSEN
Average Salary: $165,403
IPSEN is a global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on innovation and specialty care. It develops and commercializes medicines in oncology, neuroscience, and rare diseases.
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Biogen
Average Salary: $155,361
Biogen is a biotechnology company that pioneers science to deliver breakthrough therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Sarepta Therapeutics
Average Salary: $150,444
Sarepta Therapeutics is a gene therapy company focused on developing treatments for rare genetic diseases. It aims to bring meaningful advances to patients with high unmet needs.
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Pfizer
Average Salary: $148,790
Pfizer is a global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers innovative medicines and vaccines to improve health and well-being.
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Philips
Average Salary: $142,138
Philips is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes. It offers innovative solutions in medical imaging, patient care, and personal health.
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Raytheon
Average Salary: $141,007
Raytheon is a technology and innovation company that delivers advanced systems and services for the defense, civil, and commercial markets. It focuses on intelligence, surveillance, and other critical areas.
How does the cost of living in Cambridge, MA compare to the national average?

The cost of living in Cambridge, MA, significantly exceeds the nationwide average. Housing costs in Cambridge stand at 194, which is 94% higher than the national average. This high index reflects the competitive real estate market and the demand for living close to educational institutions and employment hubs.
Other expenses also show a marked increase. Groceries cost 20% more, with an index of 120. Utilities remain close to the national average at 101%, while transportation costs are 14% higher at 114. Healthcare costs are 50% above the average, with an index of 150. Miscellaneous expenses, including entertainment and personal care, are 30% higher at 130. These figures highlight the elevated expenses job seekers might face when considering a move to Cambridge.