Historian salary in Massachusetts
Historians in Massachusetts earn a median of $121,710 a year ($58.51 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $59,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,160 for the top 10%. That is 59% higher than the national median of $76,750. Massachusetts ranks 1st of 35 states for historians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $112,310, close to the median.
Pay range for historians in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,330 | $28.53 |
| 25th percentile | $104,210 | $50.10 |
| Median | $121,710 | $58.51 |
| 75th percentile | $121,710 | $58.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,160 | $61.14 |
| Average (mean) | $112,310 | $53.99 |
Half of historians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,142.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,071.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,681.15 |
| Weekly | $2,340.58 |
| Hourly | $58.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Historian salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $121,710 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for historians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $121,710 |
| Maryland | $120,580 |
| District of Columbia | $118,290 |
| Minnesota | $103,040 |
| Virginia | $101,920 |
| Washington | $99,720 |
| Oregon | $99,560 |
| California | $97,420 |
| Hawaii | $92,520 |
| Illinois | $89,670 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,180 | $55.37 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Economist | $106,380 | $51.14 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,640 | $50.79 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $129,410 | $62.22 |
| Sociologist | $106,530 | $51.22 |
| Political Scientist | $133,930 | $64.39 |
| Survey Researcher | $74,890 | $36.01 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $121,300 | $58.32 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Chemist | $125,000 | $60.09 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a historian make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for historians in Massachusetts is $121,710 a year, or $58.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid historians make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of historians in Massachusetts earn at least $127,160 a year. The top 25% earn $121,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for historians in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,330 a year, and a quarter of historians earn $104,210 or less.