Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Retail Salesperson Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area, retail salespersons earned a median annual wage of $37,500 ($18.03/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,100/year and the 90th was $49,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Massachusetts tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,756 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,500$18.03 per hour · $3,125 monthly
10th Percentile$34,100$16.39/hr base
25th Percentile$35,800$17.21/hr base
75th Percentile$41,500$19.95/hr base
90th Percentile$49,100$23.61/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$37,500
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,500
Net 82%
Fed 6%
MA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,756After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,563Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,183Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,320 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$1,555 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,869 / yr

Retail Salespersons Wage Percentiles in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Retail Salespersons in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (MA)
10th Percentile$16.39/hr$2,842$34,100$28,194
25th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$29,475
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.03/hr$3,125$37,500$30,756
75th Percentile$19.95/hr$3,458$41,500$33,770
90th Percentile$23.61/hr$4,092$49,100$39,497

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,863Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.38.3% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio32.4%of area median income

Compare retail salespersons salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Massachusetts:

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Salespersons Pay in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

What is the median salary for retail salespersons in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The official BLS median annual wage for retail salespersons in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $37,500, which equates to approximately $3,125 per month or $18.03 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for retail salespersons in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $18.03 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.61/hour.

What is the pay range for retail salespersons in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

BLS wage estimates for retail salespersons in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH span from $34,100 at the 10th percentile to $35,800 at the 25th, $41,500 at the 75th, and $49,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do retail salespersons take home after taxes in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On a median gross salary of $37,500, an estimated $30,756 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,183 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Massachusetts in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,744 (an effective rate of 18%).

How much do retail salespersons make per month in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

On the median annual salary of $37,500, gross monthly income is $3,125. After federal, FICA, and Massachusetts state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,563 per month (or $1,183 every two weeks).

Is $37,500 a good salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?

At $37,500, the median salary for retail salespersons is 32.4% of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH median household income ($115,863). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.3, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% more expensive than the U.S. average.