Economist Salary in Boston, MA
Economists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $108,140 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $79,719 take-home, or $6,643 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median economist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,961
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,705
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,568
- Massachusetts income tax$5,187
- Take-home pay$79,719
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Economist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,080 | $35.62 | $57,461 | $4,788 |
| 25th percentile | $91,270 | $43.88 | $68,695 | $5,725 |
| Median (50th) | $108,140 | $51.99 | $79,719 | $6,643 |
| 75th percentile | $161,740 | $77.76 | $113,948 | $9,496 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,210 | $109.24 | $157,080 | $13,090 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $108,140 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median economist's $79,719 take-home pay has the buying power of $73,633 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 2.6× the national concentration of economist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for economists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #3 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $176,090 | $122,274 | $108,628 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $156,750 | $108,049 | $99,233 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $108,140 | $79,719 | $73,633 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a economist make in Boston, MA?
The median economist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $108,140 a year, or about $51.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $91,270 and $161,740.
What is a economist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $108,140 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $79,719 a year ($6,643 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,187 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a economist?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $124,720. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $73,633 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #3 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a economist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median economist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Materials Scientist — $132,600
- Biochemist and Biophysicist — $131,550
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $129,500
- Chemist — $127,290
- Microbiologist — $122,350
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $121,270
- Epidemiologist — $115,890
- Psychologists, All Other — $112,900
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $110,410
- Physicist — $106,000
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $105,960
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $105,670