SOC 19-3093 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Historians — Boston
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
The median wage for Historians in Boston, MA is $121,710 per year, well above the national median of $76,750.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Historians in Boston, MA is $121,710 per year, well above the national median of $76,750. The gap of 58.6% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Pay ranges from under $59,370 at the tenth percentile to more than $121,710 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $100,480 to $121,710.
Of the 687 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 98th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,370 | −22.6% |
| 25th | $100,480 | +30.9% |
| Median (50th) | $121,710 | +58.6% |
| 75th | $121,710 | +58.6% |
| 90th | $121,710 | +58.6% |
| Mean | $113,270 | +47.6% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Boston run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $121,710 buys what $115,038 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 49.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$121,710as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$115,038US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $121,710 a year, 58.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $59,370 to $121,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Historians in Boston, MA?
The median annual wage is $121,710, or $58.51 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $76,750, so pay in Boston, MA is 58.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Boston, MA earns more than $121,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $59,370 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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