Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other Salary
The median pay for a social scientists and related workers, all other in Massachusetts is $105,640/year ($50.79/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $170K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $105,545 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 35.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $106K get you in Massachusetts?
About social scientists and related workers, all others
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Social scientists and related workers, all other pay in Massachusetts tracks closely to the national median, $106K locally vs. $101K nationwide, a 4% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,347/month, which is 36.4% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level social scientists and related workers, all others (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $106K. Top earners bring in $170K or more, a $91K spread from bottom to top.
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other salary by metro in Massachusetts
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $106K | +0% | 760 |
Compare to other states
Track social scientists and related workers, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social scientists and related workers, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $106K, rent takes 36.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for social scientists and related workers, all others in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social scientists and related workers, all others typically earn — is $79K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,712/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 50% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is social scientists and related workers, all other a high-paying job in Massachusetts?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $106K locally vs. $101K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for social scientists and related workers, all others?
Massachusetts pays $106K median vs. the U.S. average of $101K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $106K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social scientists and related workers, all others make in Massachusetts?
The median is $105,640 a year, that works out to about $51 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,530, and experienced social scientists and related workers, all others can clear $169,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $106K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,452/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 36.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a social scientists and related workers, all other salary go in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median social scientists and related workers, all other salary is worth about $105,545 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do social scientists and related workers, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.