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What is the average salary in Cambridge, MA?

The average salary in Cambridge, MA is $106,754 per year.

Job seekers in Cambridge, MA, can expect competitive salaries across various industries. The average yearly salary stands at $106,754. This figure reflects a balanced mix of roles, ranging from entry-level to senior positions.


Specifically, the salary distribution shows a broad range. For instance, the lowest 10% of jobs offer salaries starting at $33,500. As one moves up, the top 10% earn an impressive $274,926 or more. Such a diverse salary range highlights the opportunities for growth and advancement in the job market here.

View jobs in Cambridge, MA

What are the best paying jobs in Cambridge, MA?

Cambridge, MA, offers a range of high-paying job opportunities for skilled professionals. Regulatory Affairs Directors lead the way with an impressive average salary of $218,754. Principal Scientists and Software Engineers also secure top positions, with average earnings around $158,208 and $156,427 respectively. These roles demand top-notch skills and knowledge, making them attractive to job seekers aiming for financial success. Several other positions in Cambridge offer competitive pay as well. Data Scientists and Machine Learning Engineers enjoy average salaries around $153,263 and $151,048. Marketing Managers, Engineers, Pharmacists, and Program Managers also make strong showings, with average salaries between $142,977 and $138,724. These jobs provide a variety of career paths for those looking to combine their expertise with financial rewards.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Cambridge, MA, highlighting Regulatory Affairs Director with the highest at $218,754 and Software Engineer with the lowest at $156,427.
  1. Regulatory Affairs Director
    Average Salary: $218,754
    This role manages regulatory compliance in biotech firms. Key responsibilities include overseeing product approval and ensuring adherence to laws. Companies like Moderna and Takeda have openings.
    Find Regulatory Affairs Director jobs in Cambridge, MA


  2. Principal Scientist
    Average Salary: $158,208
    Principal scientists lead research and development projects in medical tech firms. They analyze data and oversee lab teams. Key employers include Dana-Farber and Biogen.
    Find Principal Scientist jobs in Cambridge, MA


  3. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $156,427
    Software engineers create software applications for tech companies. They work on design, testing, and maintenance. Leading firms like Waymo and Fidelity hire engineers.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Cambridge, MA

What are the best paying jobs in Cambridge, MA without a degree?

If you’re searching for high-paying jobs in Cambridge, MA, without needing a college degree, you have plenty of options. Many roles in the service and hospitality sectors offer attractive pay. For example, servers and service team members can earn close to $50,000 annually. Additionally, positions like line cooks, beauty consultants, and baristas provide solid incomes. These jobs range from around $40,000 to nearly $50,000 a year. These opportunities allow you to start earning well and gain valuable experience.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Cambridge, MA without a degree, highlighting Server with the highest at $49,002 and Line Cook with the lowest at $41,597.
  1. Server
    Average Salary: $49,002
    This role involves serving food and drinks to customers. Working in restaurants, you will need to take orders and ensure guests have a pleasant experience. Some employers include Legal Sea Foods and Bull & Bear.
    Find Server jobs in Cambridge, MA


  2. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $47,477
    In this position, the focus is on customer service in retail environments. Responsibilities include assisting customers and managing store displays. Major employers include Staples and Staples Center.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Cambridge, MA


  3. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $41,597
    Line cooks prepare ingredients and cook meals in fast-paced environments. This role requires speed and accuracy, often in busy kitchens. Notable employers include Legal Sea Foods and The Cheesecake Factory.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Cambridge, MA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Cambridge, MA?

Job seekers in Cambridge, MA, have several top-tier companies to consider for high salaries. Akebia Therapeutics offers the highest average salary at $203,867, followed closely by Bristol Myers Squibb at $198,401. These companies provide competitive compensation packages, making them attractive options for professionals. Other leading companies in Cambridge also offer substantial salaries. Sanofi ranks third with an average salary of $191,286, while Google and Takeda Pharmaceuticals provide averages of $187,651 and $187,173, respectively. HubSpot, Apple, Novartis, Ipsen, and Biogen round out the list, offering average salaries ranging from $181,993 to $173,792. These companies provide excellent opportunities for those seeking high earning potential in a vibrant tech and biotech hub.
Graph displaying company salaries in Cambridge, MA, highlighting Akebia Therapeutics with the highest at $203,867 and Biogen with the lowest at $173,792.
  1. Akebia Therapeutics
    Average Salary: $203,867
    Akebia Therapeutics is a biotech company focusing on treatments for anemia and kidney diseases.


  2. Bristol Myers Squibb
    Average Salary: $198,401
    Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company working on innovative therapies.


  3. Sanofi
    Average Salary: $191,286
    Sanofi is a healthcare giant that develops vaccines, medicines, and consumer healthcare products.


  4. Google
    Average Salary: $187,651
    Google, now part of Alphabet Inc., leads in internet-related services and products.


  5. Takeda Pharmaceuticals
    Average Salary: $187,173
    Takeda Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing innovative medicines to patients.


  6. HubSpot
    Average Salary: $181,993
    HubSpot is a leading provider of inbound marketing, sales, and customer service software.


  7. Apple
    Average Salary: $180,499
    Apple designs, manufactures, and markets consumer electronics, computers, and mobile devices.


  8. Novartis
    Average Salary: $180,001
    Novartis is a global healthcare leader that innovates on healthcare solutions in areas such as oncology and eye care.


  9. IPSEN
    Average Salary: $179,443
    Ipsen is a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical group focused on oncology, neuroscience, and rare diseases.


  10. Biogen
    Average Salary: $173,792
    Biogen is a biotechnology company that discovers, develops, and delivers therapies for neurological diseases.

How does the cost of living in Cambridge, MA compare to the national average?

The cost of living in Cambridge, MA, exceeds the nationwide average in several key areas, with housing being the most significant. Housing costs are 56% higher than the national average. Groceries, utilities, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also rise above the average by 24%, 9%, 30%, and 12%, respectively. Transportation costs in Cambridge are slightly below the national average at 1% less. This data indicates that while certain expenses, like housing and healthcare, are notably higher in Cambridge, other areas, like transportation, remain comparable or slightly lower than the national standard. Job seekers should consider these variations when planning their budget.
Cost of living comparison graph for Cambridge, MA vs. Nationwide: housing 56% higher, groceries 24% higher, utilities 9% higher, transportation 1% lower, healthcare 30% higher, miscellaneous 12% higher.

The cost of living in Cambridge, MA, exceeds the nationwide average in several key areas. Housing costs, for instance, stand at 156, which is 56% higher than the national average. This means that expenses related to rent or homeownership are significantly higher for residents of Cambridge compared to the rest of the country. Additionally, groceries in Cambridge cost 24% more, with an index of 124, which could impact the overall budget for families and individuals.


Other areas also reflect a higher cost of living in Cambridge. Utilities, which have an index of 109, are 9% more expensive. Healthcare costs are 30% higher, with an index of 130, which could affect both short-term and long-term health planning. Even transportation, with an index of 99, is slightly below the national average, but still indicates a modest increase of 0%. Miscellaneous expenses, with an index of 112, show a 12% increase. Overall, these figures suggest that job seekers considering Cambridge will need to budget carefully, as several essential costs are above the national average.

There are 1,508 job openings in Cambridge, MA, today!

Take a deeper dive into the job market in Cambridge, MA

Discover what it's like to work in Cambridge, MA. Learn if you need a car, explore popular employers, the job market, and the best neighborhoods to live in.
City
Overview
Cambridge, MA
1,508 Job Openings