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Job Salary Guide ยท 2026

Economist Salary After Tax in Cambridge

Based on BLS OEWS data ยท MA ยท Single filer

Rent: High StressCOL Index: 1.93

Economist Salary Range

25th Percentile

$88,000

Take-home:

$65,894

$5,491/mo

Entry to mid-level

Median

$116,000

Take-home:

$84,192

$7,016/mo

Typical salary

75th Percentile

$152,000

Take-home:

$107,045

$8,920/mo

Senior / specialist

Tax Breakdown

At median salary of $116,000

Gross Salary$116,000
Federal Tax(14.8%)โ€“$17,134
MA State Taxโ€“$5,800
Social Securityโ€“$7,192
Medicareโ€“$1,682
Annual Take-Home$84,192
$7,016Monthly
$3,238Bi-Weekly
27.42%Effective Rate

Cost of Living in Cambridge

Rent-to-income ratio (1BR)44.2% โ€” High Stress

1BR Monthly Rent

$3,100/mo

2BR Monthly Rent

$3,950/mo

COL Index

1.93

Comfortable Rent Max

$1,754/mo

50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner

Based on your monthly take-home of $7,016 ($84,192/yr)

Needs 50%Wants 30%Savings 20%
Needs50%

$3,508

per month

  • โ€บRent / mortgage
  • โ€บGroceries
  • โ€บUtilities
  • โ€บInsurance
  • โ€บMinimum debt payments
  • โ€บTransportation
Wants30%

$2,105

per month

  • โ€บDining out
  • โ€บStreaming services
  • โ€บGym
  • โ€บHobbies
  • โ€บTravel
  • โ€บShopping
Savings20%

$1,403

per month

  • โ€บEmergency fund
  • โ€บ401(k) / IRA
  • โ€บInvestments
  • โ€บDown payment fund
  • โ€บDebt payoff (extra)

Needs / year

$42,096

Wants / year

$25,258

Savings / year

$16,838

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Economist salary in Cambridge?

The median Economist salary in Cambridge (MA) is $116,000 per year based on BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $88,000 and the 75th percentile is $152,000.

What is the take-home pay for a Economist in Cambridge?

At the median salary of $116,000, a Economist in MA takes home approximately $84,192 per year ($7,016/month) after federal and state taxes. The effective tax rate is 27.42%.

Can a Economist afford rent in Cambridge?

The average 1-bedroom rent in Cambridge is $3,100/month. On the median Economist salary, your rent-to-income ratio is 44.2%, which is "High Stress". Financial experts recommend keeping rent below 25โ€“30% of take-home pay ($1,754/month at this salary).

How does cost of living affect Economist salaries in Cambridge?

Cambridge has a cost-of-living index of 1.93 (1.00 = national average). Cambridge is 93% more expensive than the US average, which reduces the real purchasing power of the Economist salary.