Salaries in Cambridge, MA

Updated on Jun 05, 2025
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What is the average salary in Cambridge, MA?

The average salary in Cambridge, MA is $83,213 per year.

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.

View jobs in Cambridge, MA

What are the best paying jobs in Cambridge, MA?

Cambridge, MA, offers a range of high-paying jobs for skilled professionals. The top-paying positions include Regulatory Affairs Director, Principal Scientist, and Software Engineer. These roles often require specialized skills and experience, but they can lead to rewarding careers. Regulatory Affairs Directors and Principal Scientists typically work in research and healthcare, while Software Engineers find opportunities in tech and software development. Other well-paid positions include Director, Engineer, and Technical Project Lead. These jobs demand strong leadership, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities. Job seekers in Cambridge can find excellent opportunities in these fields.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Cambridge, MA, highlighting Regulatory Affairs Director with the highest at $193,374 and Scientist with the lowest at $107,487.
  1. 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.
    Find Regulatory Affairs Director jobs in Cambridge, MA


  2. 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.
    Find Principal Scientist jobs in Cambridge, MA


  3. 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.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Cambridge, MA


  4. 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.
    Find Director jobs in Cambridge, MA


  5. Engineer
    Average Salary: $128,553
    Engineers design and develop systems. They need strong problem-solving skills. Companies like Raytheon and IBM often seek engineers.
    Find Engineer jobs in Cambridge, MA


  6. 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.
    Find Traveling Nurse jobs in Cambridge, MA


  7. 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.
    Find Technical Project Lead jobs in Cambridge, MA


  8. 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.
    Find Dental Hygienist jobs in Cambridge, MA


  9. 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.
    Find Program Manager jobs in Cambridge, MA


  10. Scientist
    Average Salary: $107,487
    Scientists conduct research and experiments. They need strong analytical skills. Companies like Biogen and Novartis offer such positions.
    Find Scientist jobs in Cambridge, MA

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

Job seekers in Cambridge, MA, can find well-paying roles without needing a degree. High-paying positions include server, service team member, and floor tech. These jobs offer competitive salaries and valuable experience. Servers and service team members often earn over $45,000 annually. Floor techs can also make around $43,000. These roles provide good pay and the chance to work in a dynamic environment.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Cambridge, MA without a degree, highlighting Server with the highest at $49,821 and Food Service Aide with the lowest at $36,340.
  1. 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.
    Find Server jobs in Cambridge, MA


  2. 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.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Cambridge, MA


  3. 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.
    Find Floor Tech jobs in Cambridge, MA


  4. 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.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Cambridge, MA


  5. 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.
    Find Barista jobs in Cambridge, MA


  6. Beauty Consultant
    Average Salary: $39,435
    Help customers choose beauty products. Provide product demonstrations and advice. Companies like Ulta Beauty and Sephora offer roles.
    Find Beauty Consultant jobs in Cambridge, MA


  7. 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.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Cambridge, MA


  8. 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.
    Find Server Assistant jobs in Cambridge, MA


  9. 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.
    Find Bar Back jobs in Cambridge, MA


  10. 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.
    Find Food Service Aide jobs in Cambridge, MA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Cambridge, MA?

Job seekers in Cambridge, MA, have several top-paying companies to choose from. Companies like HubSpot, Sanofi, and Novartis lead the way with average salaries above $140,000. These firms offer competitive compensation packages, making them attractive options for professionals seeking rewarding careers. Specifically, HubSpot tops the list with an average salary of $176,623. Sanofi and Novartis follow closely, offering average salaries of $170,036 and $169,411, respectively. These companies provide excellent opportunities for those looking to advance their careers in a thriving tech and biotech hub.
Graph displaying company salaries in Cambridge, MA, highlighting HubSpot with the highest at $176,623 and Raytheon with the lowest at $141,007.
  1. 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.


  2. Sanofi
    Average Salary: $170,036
    Sanofi is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. It develops and markets medicines in various therapeutic areas.


  3. 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.


  4. 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.


  5. 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.


  6. 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.


  7. 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.


  8. 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.


  9. 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.


  10. 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, with housing costs being the highest at 94% more. Other categories like groceries, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also show increases, ranging from 10% to 50% above the average. This data highlights the higher expenses job seekers might face when considering a move to Cambridge.
Cost of living comparison graph for Cambridge, MA vs. Nationwide: housing 94% higher, groceries 20% higher, utilities 1% higher, transportation 14% higher, healthcare 50% higher, miscellaneous 30% higher.

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.

There are 2,021 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.
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Overview
Cambridge, MA
2,021 Job Openings