Top 100 Jobs Relatively More Common in Massachusetts Than Elsewhere
Whether you're looking for a career to pursue, or just want to get a feel for occupations in the state, the table below should be helpful. And we haven't seen anything like it from anyone else.
This table tells us which jobs are more common in Massachusetts, relative to the state population, compared to their popularity in every other US state. A Local Popularity Index of 1.0 matches the average across all US states; higher and lower numbers indicate the job is proportionally more or less popular here.
| Rank | Job | Mean Local Salary 2006 | Local Jobs 2006 | Local Popularity Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nuclear technicians | $68,590 | 180 | 27.7 |
| 2 | Oral and maxillofacial surgeons | $175,750 | 190 | 19.5 |
| 3 | Psychiatric aides | $27,541 | 6,000 | 7.3 |
| 4 | Biomedical engineers | $80,555 | 1,200 | 7.2 |
| 5 | Atmospheric and space scientists | $65,420 | 450 | 6.8 |
| 6 | Architecture teachers, postsecondary | $99,090 | 180 | 6.8 |
| 7 | Graduate teaching assistants | $38,856 | 3,060 | 6.7 |
| 8 | Law teachers, postsecondary | $110,990 | 770 | 6.4 |
| 9 | Epidemiologists | $63,230 | 220 | 6.4 |
| 10 | Biochemists and biophysicists | $92,556 | 1,340 | 6.0 |
| 11 | Social sciences teachers, postsecondary | $84,105 | 220 | 5.8 |
| 12 | Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary | $73,880 | 350 | 5.4 |
| 13 | Parking enforcement workers | $33,010 | 520 | 4.7 |
| 14 | Cooks | $29,385 | 740 | 4.6 |
| 15 | Pile-driver operators | $61,890 | 160 | 4.0 |
| 16 | Electro-mechanical technicians | $42,870 | 820 | 3.9 |
| 17 | Environmental science teachers, postsecondary | $74,065 | 120 | 3.9 |
| 18 | Insurance appraisers, auto damage | $53,215 | 680 | 3.9 |
| 19 | Engineering teachers, postsecondary | $105,670 | 900 | 3.8 |
| 20 | Health specialties teachers, postsecondary | $92,965 | 3,590 | 3.5 |
| 21 | Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary | $100,140 | 180 | 3.4 |
| 22 | Forest and conservation workers | $36,990 | 120 | 3.4 |
| 23 | Stonemasons | $46,290 | 530 | 3.3 |
| 24 | Electromechanical equipment assemblers | $28,731 | 3,340 | 3.2 |
| 25 | Tree trimmers and pruners | $39,746 | 550 | 3.2 |
| 26 | Medical scientists, except epidemiologists | $75,250 | 4,420 | 3.2 |
| 27 | Materials scientists | $87,010 | 190 | 3.1 |
| 28 | Education administrators | $70,121 | 1,320 | 3.0 |
| 29 | Physics teachers, postsecondary | $84,570 | 470 | 3.0 |
| 30 | Proofreaders and copy markers | $31,170 | 740 | 3.0 |
| 31 | Computer hardware engineers | $91,848 | 4,190 | 3.0 |
| 32 | Social work teachers, postsecondary | $60,215 | 130 | 3.0 |
| 33 | Concierges | $25,595 | 940 | 2.9 |
| 34 | Archivists | $52,260 | 160 | 2.9 |
| 35 | Embalmers | (varies) | 200 | 2.9 |
| 36 | Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers | $31,436 | 280 | 2.9 |
| 37 | Residential advisors | $24,952 | 2,540 | 2.9 |
| 38 | Chief executives | $129,704 | 21,260 | 2.8 |
| 39 | Computer and information scientists, research | $106,950 | 1,300 | 2.8 |
| 40 | Biological technicians | $46,676 | 3,250 | 2.7 |
| 41 | Microbiologists | $66,415 | 700 | 2.7 |
| 42 | Social science research assistants | $48,030 | 460 | 2.7 |
| 43 | Therapists | $50,595 | 270 | 2.7 |
| 44 | Radiation therapists | $83,010 | 410 | 2.6 |
| 45 | Biological science teachers, postsecondary | $92,056 | 1,440 | 2.6 |
| 46 | Psychiatrists | $147,880 | 710 | 2.6 |
| 47 | Education administrators, postsecondary | $77,374 | 4,930 | 2.5 |
| 48 | Actuaries | $89,495 | 750 | 2.5 |
| 49 | Computer software engineers, systems software | $87,070 | 17,880 | 2.5 |
| 50 | Mental health counselors | $37,908 | 4,260 | 2.5 |
| 51 | Fire fighters | $44,031 | 9,690 | 2.4 |
| 52 | Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers | $27,850 | 260 | 2.4 |
| 53 | Economics teachers, postsecondary | $89,165 | 380 | 2.3 |
| 54 | Desktop publishers | $45,947 | 1,210 | 2.3 |
| 55 | Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary | $74,123 | 630 | 2.3 |
| 56 | Economists | $71,820 | 580 | 2.3 |
| 57 | Sociology teachers, postsecondary | $66,590 | 460 | 2.3 |
| 58 | Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program | $43,260 | 2,140 | 2.2 |
| 59 | Health diagnosing and treating practitioners | $76,160 | 2,110 | 2.2 |
| 60 | Chemical engineers | $81,520 | 1,100 | 2.2 |
| 61 | Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary | $83,580 | 120 | 2.2 |
| 62 | Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary | $63,950 | 2,610 | 2.2 |
| 63 | Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators | $48,270 | 270 | 2.1 |
| 64 | Political science teachers, postsecondary | $84,210 | 380 | 2.1 |
| 65 | Psychologists | $68,110 | 200 | 2.1 |
| 66 | Environmental engineers | $69,785 | 2,160 | 2.1 |
| 67 | Pediatricians, general | $151,740 | 770 | 2.1 |
| 68 | Skin care specialists | $32,345 | 760 | 2.1 |
| 69 | Mechanical engineering technicians | $45,597 | 1,760 | 2.0 |
| 70 | Material moving workers | $25,922 | 1,540 | 2.0 |
| 71 | Electrical engineers | $78,614 | 6,630 | 2.0 |
| 72 | History teachers, postsecondary | $74,693 | 590 | 2.0 |
| 73 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products | $76,711 | 17,050 | 2.0 |
| 74 | Curators | $58,230 | 240 | 2.0 |
| 75 | Medical and clinical laboratory technicians | $43,202 | 5,920 | 1.9 |
| 76 | Chemistry teachers, postsecondary | $76,616 | 480 | 1.9 |
| 77 | Financial analysts | $70,075 | 8,550 | 1.9 |
| 78 | Rehabilitation counselors | $35,788 | 4,190 | 1.9 |
| 79 | Financial examiners | $73,540 | 920 | 1.9 |
| 80 | Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary | $70,560 | 650 | 1.9 |
| 81 | Logisticians | $66,914 | 2,050 | 1.9 |
| 82 | Library technicians | $30,204 | 3,580 | 1.9 |
| 83 | Social and human service assistants | $29,996 | 12,650 | 1.8 |
| 84 | Technical writers | $65,664 | 1,940 | 1.8 |
| 85 | Computer software engineers, applications | $85,061 | 21,160 | 1.8 |
| 86 | Multi-media artists and animators | $50,330 | 850 | 1.8 |
| 87 | Occupational therapists | $56,265 | 3,610 | 1.8 |
| 88 | Appraisers and assessors of real estate | $54,000 | 1,710 | 1.8 |
| 89 | Animal control workers | $29,967 | 270 | 1.8 |
| 90 | Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers | $125,105 | 1,130 | 1.7 |
| 91 | Special education teachers, middle school | $47,414 | 2,890 | 1.7 |
| 92 | Religious workers | $30,340 | 100 | 1.7 |
| 93 | Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school | $49,380 | 6,630 | 1.7 |
| 94 | Operations research analysts | $75,062 | 1,900 | 1.7 |
| 95 | First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers | $64,058 | 1,160 | 1.7 |
| 96 | Occupational therapist assistants | $39,100 | 700 | 1.7 |
| 97 | Tour guides and escorts | $24,263 | 680 | 1.7 |
| 98 | Medical and public health social workers | $45,397 | 4,190 | 1.7 |
| 99 | Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | $60,083 | 2,030 | 1.7 |
| 100 | Recreational therapists | $33,015 | 740 | 1.7 |
The Most Common Jobs in Massachusetts
Unlike the table above, which shows where jobs in Massachusetts are unusually common compared to other states, the table below lists jobs which are the most common in raw numbers in the state.
| Rank | Job | Local Jobs 2006 | Mean Local Salary 2006 | Local Popularity Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail salespersons | 105,560 | $24,480 | 1.0 |
| 2 | Cashiers | 74,450 | $18,787 | 1.0 |
| 3 | Registered nurses | 72,070 | $60,679 | 1.3 |
| 4 | Office clerks, general | 62,010 | $27,868 | 0.9 |
| 5 | Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners | 52,130 | $26,157 | 1.0 |
| 6 | Waiters and waitresses | 51,970 | $21,737 | 1.0 |
| 7 | Customer service representatives | 48,200 | $32,530 | 1.0 |
| 8 | Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food | 46,300 | $17,852 | 0.9 |
| 9 | General and operations managers | 44,130 | $93,124 | 1.1 |
| 10 | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | 42,830 | $34,106 | 1.0 |
| 11 | Executive secretaries and administrative assistants | 42,780 | $40,351 | 1.2 |
| 12 | Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants | 39,850 | $25,616 | 1.3 |
| 13 | Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | 38,850 | $24,936 | 0.7 |
| 14 | Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive | 38,190 | $31,297 | 1.0 |
| 15 | Stock clerks and order fillers | 36,710 | $24,099 | 1.0 |
| 16 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 32,200 | $62,599 | 0.9 |
| 17 | Teacher assistants | 31,230 | $23,093 | 1.2 |
| 18 | First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers | 28,950 | $47,179 | 0.9 |
| 19 | Elementary school teachers, except special education | 28,810 | $51,720 | 1.0 |
| 20 | Accountants and auditors | 27,440 | $57,128 | 1.0 |
| 21 | Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer | 24,960 | $39,905 | 0.7 |
| 22 | Food preparation workers | 23,870 | $20,667 | 1.2 |
| 23 | First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers | 23,860 | $40,023 | 1.0 |
| 24 | Receptionists and information clerks | 22,890 | $25,312 | 0.9 |
| 25 | Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education | 21,900 | $51,851 | 1.1 |
| 26 | Maintenance and repair workers, general | 21,630 | $36,356 | 0.7 |
| 27 | Chief executives | 21,260 | $129,704 | 2.8 |
| 28 | Computer software engineers, applications | 21,160 | $85,061 | 1.8 |
| 29 | Security guards | 20,980 | $25,327 | 0.8 |
| 30 | Maids and housekeeping cleaners | 20,170 | $20,210 | 1.0 |
| 31 | Truck drivers, light or delivery services | 20,040 | $32,092 | 0.9 |
| 32 | Business operations specialists | 19,930 | $55,606 | 0.9 |
| 33 | Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | 18,940 | $17,818 | 1.7 |
| 34 | Carpenters | 18,740 | $44,494 | 0.9 |
| 35 | Landscaping and groundskeeping workers | 18,330 | $27,422 | 0.9 |
| 36 | Financial managers | 18,190 | $85,614 | 1.6 |
| 37 | Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks | 18,060 | $29,117 | 1.0 |
| 38 | Computer software engineers, systems software | 17,880 | $87,070 | 2.5 |
| 39 | Packers and packagers, hand | 17,240 | $20,472 | 0.9 |
| 40 | Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products | 17,050 | $76,711 | 2.0 |
| 41 | Bartenders | 16,950 | $21,953 | 1.6 |
| 42 | Computer systems analysts | 16,600 | $68,856 | 1.3 |
| 43 | Team assemblers | 16,600 | $27,287 | 0.7 |
| 44 | Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education | 16,370 | $52,865 | 1.3 |
| 45 | Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 15,930 | $44,376 | 1.0 |
| 46 | Management analysts | 15,810 | $80,239 | 1.4 |
| 47 | Cooks, restaurant | 15,690 | $24,630 | 0.9 |
| 48 | Computer support specialists | 15,370 | $47,230 | 1.3 |
| 49 | Construction laborers | 14,690 | $38,498 | 0.7 |
| 50 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics | 14,580 | $36,861 | 1.0 |
| 51 | Dishwashers | 13,600 | $18,102 | 1.2 |
| 52 | Police and sheriff's patrol officers | 13,450 | $48,195 | 1.2 |
| 53 | Lawyers | 13,400 | $103,407 | 1.0 |
| 54 | Preschool teachers, except special education | 13,060 | $26,986 | 1.7 |
| 55 | First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers | 12,950 | $53,642 | 0.9 |
| 56 | First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers | 12,800 | $30,569 | 0.7 |
| 57 | Social and human service assistants | 12,650 | $29,996 | 1.8 |
| 58 | Home health aides | 12,610 | $23,216 | 0.9 |
| 59 | Tellers | 12,550 | $25,507 | 1.0 |
| 60 | Electricians | 11,930 | $46,572 | 0.8 |
| 61 | Billing and posting clerks and machine operators | 11,560 | $31,278 | 1.0 |
| 62 | Child care workers | 11,070 | $20,769 | 0.9 |
| 63 | Computer programmers | 10,710 | $76,034 | 1.1 |
| 64 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters | 10,650 | $49,071 | 1.1 |
| 65 | Sales managers | 10,600 | $101,710 | 1.3 |
| 66 | Bus drivers, school | 10,160 | $28,546 | 1.1 |
| 67 | Sales representatives, services | 10,160 | $58,335 | 1.0 |
| 68 | Computer and information systems managers | 10,000 | $100,273 | 1.5 |
| 69 | Fire fighters | 9,690 | $44,031 | 2.4 |
| 70 | Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | 9,230 | $24,410 | 1.1 |
| 71 | Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | 9,130 | $35,708 | 0.8 |
| 72 | Postal service mail carriers | 9,060 | $45,551 | 1.2 |
| 73 | First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers | 8,910 | $61,116 | 0.7 |
| 74 | Personal and home care aides | 8,560 | $22,032 | 0.8 |
| 75 | Financial analysts | 8,550 | $70,075 | 1.9 |
| 76 | Network and computer systems administrators | 8,520 | $63,440 | 1.3 |
| 77 | Counter and rental clerks | 8,470 | $23,436 | 0.8 |
| 78 | Machinists | 8,390 | $40,016 | 1.1 |
| 79 | Child, family, and school social workers | 8,240 | $47,717 | 1.5 |
| 80 | Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | 8,240 | $18,251 | 0.9 |
| 81 | Administrative services managers | 8,060 | $67,850 | 1.4 |
| 82 | First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers | 7,710 | $57,019 | 0.8 |
| 83 | Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | 7,650 | $19,672 | 1.0 |
| 84 | Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products | 7,460 | $53,758 | 1.2 |
| 85 | Industrial truck and tractor operators | 7,350 | $32,285 | 0.5 |
| 86 | Mechanical engineers | 6,990 | $72,574 | 1.4 |
| 87 | Public relations specialists | 6,890 | $54,495 | 1.5 |
| 88 | Bill and account collectors | 6,890 | $33,410 | 0.7 |
| 89 | Production, planning, and expediting clerks | 6,770 | $41,943 | 1.0 |
| 90 | Marketing managers | 6,740 | $101,598 | 1.6 |
| 91 | Medical assistants | 6,730 | $29,967 | 0.7 |
| 92 | Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents | 6,710 | $105,436 | 1.2 |
| 93 | First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers | 6,700 | $68,493 | 0.9 |
| 94 | Medical and health services managers | 6,680 | $77,870 | 1.3 |
| 95 | Data entry keyers | 6,680 | $27,397 | 0.9 |
| 96 | Paralegals and legal assistants | 6,650 | $42,413 | 1.3 |
| 97 | Electrical engineers | 6,630 | $78,614 | 2.0 |
| 98 | Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school | 6,630 | $49,380 | 1.7 |
| 99 | Cooks, institution and cafeteria | 6,600 | $26,611 | 0.8 |
| 100 | Driver/sales workers | 6,550 | $27,070 | 0.7 |
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