Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Massachusetts 2024 (Inc Salaries)

Declared as the 5^th most expensive city in the U.S., the cost of living in Massachusetts is higher than the national average. Although the state boasts a high quality of life, residents fail to enjoy its perks because of the expensive housing, costly transportation, and skyrocketing tax rates.

So, how much do you need to earn to survive in this state? A new study shows that you must earn at least $100,000 per person to live comfortably in the Bay State.

Seems impossible to achieve, right? But don’t you worry! According to career resources, the state offers plenty of jobs that will allow you to earn this amount while enjoying a good work environment. 

If you're wondering about the high-paying jobs available in Massachusetts, you should check out our list below.

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Massachusetts 2024 (Inc Salaries)

1. Physician

Surgeons and physicians are healthcare experts who have undergone rigorous training and long years of education to obtain the knowledge needed to save patients’ lives, address their medical concerns, and improve their health.

Job Qualifications

The minimum requirement for becoming a physician is a Medical (M.D.) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.

You can obtain these by securing an undergraduate degree in life sciences, passing the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and completing medical school.

You also need a license to work as a doctor in Massachusetts, and you can obtain this by passing the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-US) for D.O.s and the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for M.D.s.

Lastly, further extensive training is needed to obtain your specialty. These include residency programs and fellowship training. 

Career Outlook

Due to the increasing need for medical treatments and interventions, the demand for all types of physicians in the U.S. is projected to grow by 3% until 2032.  

Expected Salary

Below are the average salaries for the highest-paying medical specializations in MA: 

• Anesthesiologists: $451,000

• Radiologists: $396,500

• Cardiologists: $373,900

• Surgeons: $355,100

• Obstetricians and Gynecologists: $286,300

2. Chief Executives

Delivering C-level management, the top executives are responsible for developing and implementing business strategies and company policies. Their main goal is to provide direction to the organization to ensure that they meet all established goals. 

The skills and expertise of C-suite executives are needed in the following departments: 

• Finance (Chief Financial Officer)

• Marketing (Chief Marketing Officer)

• Operations (Chief Operating Officer)

• Communications (Chief Information Officer)

The Chief Executive Officer, the highest-ranking professional in the company, spearheads all these chief executives. This job title is also at the top of the list of the highest-paying jobs in USA.

Job Qualifications

A bachelor's in business administration (BBA) degree can help you land an entry-level business job. 

After that, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and years of industry-related work experience can qualify you for high-level management positions.

The last steps to landing a C-suite executive role are building your personal brand, establishing industry connections, and demonstrating your authority in the industry. 

Career Outlook

The overall demand for top corporate executives is expected to increase by 3%. This about-as-fast-as-the-average rate is equivalent to 311,600 new jobs in the future.

Expected Salary

The average annual salary for chief executives varies depending on the position. With that said, here the Boston salary information you need to know:

• Chief Executive Officer: $441,300

• Chief Information Officer: $412,800

• Chief Marketing Officer: $387,000

• Chief Operating Officer: $342,900

• Chief Finance Officer: $251,700

3. Corporate Counsel

Also known as company lawyers, corporate counsels provide legal assistance to businesses, corporations, and organizations. Their main goal is to ensure that the company's operations, policies, and procedures comply with state and federal regulations.

More than that, their expertise is also needed in various business proceedings, like intellectual property concerns, mergers and acquisitions, etc.

Job Qualifications

A bachelor’s in business administration (BBA) degree is a good starting point for anyone who wants to get into this industry. 

After that, you must pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Then, you must finish law school to obtain your JD degree.

Next, you need to pass the bar exam administered by the American Bar Association (ABA) to get a license to practice law. 

Earning a master's in business administration (MBA) degree and completing years of work experience in the business industry can increase your chances of getting a corporate lawyer position.

Career Outlook

As part of the law sector, the overall employment for this position will grow by 8%, equivalent to about 39,100 new job opportunities until 2032.

Expected Salary

Corporate counsels earn an average of $298,200 and may also get an estimated additional pay of $109,700 annually.

4. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical doctors to provide pain management interventions and anesthesia care to patients before, during, and after surgery and other invasive medical and diagnostic procedures. 

Job Qualifications

The minimum education requirement for a nurse anesthetist is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP).

You must also pass two tests: the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and the National Certification Examination provided by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Career Outlook

In the U.S., the need for nurse practitioners, including nurse anesthetists, will grow by 38%. This faster-than-average growth rate translates to about 29,200 job opportunities until 2032.

Expected Salary

CRNAs receive an average pay of $223,000 per year. In addition, they may also receive a median additional salary of $ 43,000.

5. Lawyer

With their extensive knowledge of the law, lawyers perform as legal advisors and their clients' advocates.

They advocate for their client's rights and represent them in court. At the same time, they also provide legal counsel to their clients regarding business and personal affairs.

Job Qualifications

To start your law career, you must complete an undergraduate degree. While there's no required major for this industry, there are common pre-majors, including social sciences, economy, and philosophy.

After that, you must pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) to qualify for law school. Then, you must finish law school to obtain your J.D. degree.

Lastly, you need to pass the state-specific bar exam to secure your license to practice law. 

Career Outlook

With 20,380 employed lawyers, M.A. is one of the states with the highest concentration of jobs for this position.

In the next few years, the need for this role in the U.S. will rise by 8%. This projected growth is equivalent to about 39,100 new job openings.

Expected Salary

Based on the salary data provided by Glassdoor, the average pay for a lawyer in M.A. is $212,200, which may include a potential cash bonus of $66,900.

6. Engineering Manager

The engineering manager is in charge of supervising and coordinating the engineering department’s operation and performance.

They provide direction to the team and ensure they will complete the company's engineering projects at the right time and within the established budget.

Job Qualifications

You can get entry-level engineering positions with a bachelor's degree in engineering and related fields.

Since most employers hire candidates with experience, it's also a great idea to complete a supervised internship program.

It's also recommended that you finish a master's in business administration (MBA) degree to obtain higher-paying roles.

Career Outlook

The employment of engineering managers in the U.S. will have a growth rate of 4%, equivalent to 13,600 new job postings in the future.

Expected Salary

In Boston, MA, engineering managers receive an annual median wage of $207,900 and may also include an average cash bonus of $48,300.

With an average hourly rate of $83, Massachusetts is one of the top-paying states for this position.

7. Machine Learning Engineer

As members of the data science team, machine learning engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and improving complex computing systems and A.I. algorithms that enable computer systems to learn and gather information from massive amounts of data.

The engineer’s main tasks include data collection and preparation, feature engineering, supervised model training, model evaluation and deployment, and machine learning automation.

Job Qualifications

Start your journey to becoming a machine learning engineer with a bachelor's degree in computer science or mathematics. 

After that, complete programs and courses to be knowledgeable in the programming language of your choice. 

The last step is to enroll in machine learning courses to qualify for a machine learning engineer position.

If you’re aiming for the role of a manager or a team supervisor, having an MBA degree is recommended. 

Career Outlook

BLS categorizes this position as a computer research scientist, and they project that the need for this role will increase by 23%, equivalent to 3,400 new job opportunities in the next few years.

Expected Salary

In MA, machine learning engineers are paid an average yearly wage of $157,100. They may also receive a cash bonus of $27,300.

8. Clinical Pharmacist

A clinical pharmacist is a lot different than a retail pharmacist. While a retail pharmacist merely just fills prescriptions, a clinical pharmacist takes on a more proactive role in providing direct patient care. 

As part of the healthcare team, their main goal is to ensure the safe, proper, and effective use of medications by recommending the right type, dosage, and schedule of medicine based on the patient’s unique needs. 

Job Qualifications

An undergraduate degree in life sciences, specifically biology, chemistry, or microbiology is a good first step to becoming a clinical pharmacist. 

After that, you need to obtain a pharmacy doctorate degree and pass the North American Pharmacists Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) to earn your pharmacy license. These credentials will qualify you for a retail pharmacist position. 

The last step to being a certified clinical pharmacist is to earn relevant work experience and certifications from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. 

Career Outlook

The need for all types of pharmacists in the U.S. is projected to grow by 3%. This growth rate is equivalent to 13,400 job openings in the future.

Expected Salary

Clinical Pharmacists in the Boston area are paid an average salary of $145,200, which may also include an additional pay of $21,300 per year.

9. Software Engineer

Software engineers are computer programming experts who specialize in designing, testing, and developing software products.

There are two types of software engineers to choose from. 

First, there’s the systems engineer who creates computer and network systems needed to operate different software applications. 

The second type is an application developer who designs computer programs that help end users accomplish specific tasks.

Job Qualifications

Most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer technology, engineering or software engineering.

Earning certifications, like the Professional Software Developer Certification, Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP), and many more will increase your chances of landing good-paying software engineering roles. 

Career Outlook

The overall employment of software-related occupations in the U.S. is expected to grow by 25% in the next few years. This faster-than-average growth rate translates to 153,900 new available jobs until 2032.

Expected Salary

In MA, software engineers make a median wage of $138,600 and a potential cash bonus of $22,000 per year.

10. Sales Engineer

Sales engineers are sales representatives who specialize in complex technological and scientific products and services.

What differentiates them from other sales professionals is their in-depth technical knowledge, which qualifies them to provide technical support, consultation, and training to clients.

Most positions can be found in the B2B setting where their expertise is needed to market highly advanced and complex products to other businesses.

Job Qualifications

The minimum education requirement for this industry is a bachelor's degree in engineering. Choosing a branch of engineering that suits your target specialty (i.e., a chemical engineering degree to enter the pharmaceutical sales sector) is important.

After that, earn a few years of sales work experience and then get certified by passing the certification tests provided by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

Career Outlook

Massachusetts has over 3,000 sales engineers, making it one of the states with the highest employment level for this role.

The U.S. demand for this position will increase by 5% by 2032. This means that this industry will generate up to 5,900 job openings.

Expected Salary

The average annual salary for this position is $134,700, with an estimated additional pay of $34,900.

Other lucrative jobs in Boston you need to check out are:

• Sales Consultant: $129,800

• Electrical Engineer: $127,600

• Human Resources Manager: $121,100

• Nursing Investigator: $114,900

• Account Manager: $113,200

• Licensing Specialist: $82,300

You can also secure new high-paying jobs in Boston without degrees, and some of your best options are agricultural equipment technician, automotive service technician, sales associate, and parking violation cashier.

Conclusion

Massachusetts offers the best-paying jobs but has one of the most competitive job markets in the U.S.

If you want to apply and get hired for any of these lucrative jobs, the best career advice is to get continued professional growth through further education, such as a degree like a BBA, MBA or MS.

Through their BBA, MBA and MS degree programs, Nexford aims to provide professionals with great opportunities to grow their skills and advance their careers in the easiest and most convenient way possible. 

FAQs

What is the highest-paying job in Massachusetts in 2024?

With a pay scale of $254,000 to $474,000 (and may even increase depending on specialization), the physician will be the highest-paying job in MA in 2024.

Receiving an annual median wage of $451,000, the anesthesiologist is the highest-paying medical specialization in this state.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which Massachusetts jobs are projected to have the highest level of growth?

Based on BLS projections, the jobs that will experience the highest growth in 2024 are Machine Learning Engineer (23%), Software Engineer (25%), and Nurse Anesthetist (38%).

What is the best career path in Massachusetts in 2024?

Based on the nature and job outlook of these high-paying jobs, the best industries to look out for in MA in 2024 are business, engineering, and healthcare.

What skills or expertise is required for high-paying Massachusetts jobs?

Regardless of what industry you wish to enter, here are the must-have soft skills:

• Teamwork

• Critical Thinking

• Communication

• Work ethic

• Time management

• Organization

• Problem-solving

• Flexibility

• Interpersonal skills

On the other hand, the required hard skills are leadership and management abilities and industry-specific expertise and know-how.

Download Our Free Report here to determine which high-paying skill is needed for your target industry.

What qualifications are required for high-paying Massachusetts jobs?

The educational qualifications vary depending on the industry. For example, you need at least a medical degree to qualify for physician positions. On the other hand, for business, at least a master's or doctorate is required for engineering and healthcare-related jobs.

Lastly, a BBA or MBA degree is recommended for getting higher-paying roles in whatever industry you're in.

Why is gaining a BBA/MBA degree beneficial for earning a high-paying job in Massachusetts?

An online BBA or MBA program in your resume demonstrates your strong leadership and managerial skills, showing prospective employees that you can be able to handle the stress, pressure, and issues that come with these challenging roles.