SOC 19-3093 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Historians — Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 1 metro areas compared
At $121,710 a year, the median wage for Historians in Massachusetts sits 58.6% above the national figure of $76,750.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $121,710 a year, the median wage for Historians in Massachusetts sits 58.6% above the national figure of $76,750. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $104,210 and $121,710. The lowest tenth earn under $59,330, while the highest tenth earn more than $127,160.
Massachusetts ranks number 1st out of 35 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Boston records the highest median at $121,710. Of the 717 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 90th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,330 | −22.7% |
| 25th | $104,210 | +35.8% |
| Median (50th) | $121,710 | +58.6% |
| 75th | $121,710 | +58.6% |
| 90th | $127,160 | +65.7% |
| Mean | $112,310 | +46.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $121,710 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts 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 $59,330 to $127,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 1st of 35 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boston, at $121,710.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Historians in Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts earns more than $127,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $59,330 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.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Boston, at $121,710 per year.
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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