Cost of hiring an office manager in Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH
Office managers earn more in Boston-Cambridge than anywhere else in Massachusetts. Expect a median of $77,990 a year[1], 1.6% above the Massachusetts statewide median of $76,770 and 12.2% above the US median of $69,500. Only 16 of 519 US areas pay more for this job. With about 25,630 office managers, no area in Massachusetts employs more.
BLS occupation 43-1011, area Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Boston-Cambridge against Massachusetts and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH | $52,290 | $77,990 | $112,060 | |
| Massachusetts | $51,020 | $76,770 | $107,490 | |
| United States | $45,610 | $69,500 | $104,710 |
Office managers at the 90th percentile earn $112,060, 2.1 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.3. The middle half of office managers in Boston-Cambridge earns $63,380–$96,820.
What to budget for an office manager here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,290 | $4,358 | $25.14 | $74,700 |
| 25th percentile | $63,380 | $5,282 | $30.47 | $90,543 |
| Median | $77,990 | $6,499 | $37.50 | $111,414 |
| 75th percentile | $96,820 | $8,068 | $46.55 | $138,314 |
| 90th percentile | $112,060 | $9,338 | $53.88 | $160,086 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $18,830 a year in pay and about $26,900 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $14,610 in pay. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Boston-Cambridge
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], which adds about $33,424 to the $77,990 median and brings it to $111,414 a year. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for office managers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Boston-Cambridge
Of the 17 roles we track in Boston-Cambridge, this one ranks #8 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $114,990 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $43,930.
| Role | Median | vs office manager | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +47.4% | 18,840 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +31.3% | 32,310 | |
| Accountant | +28.4% | 37,150 | |
| Recruiter | +15.7% | 21,770 | |
| Executive Assistant | +9.3% | 11,290 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +7.0% | 25,310 | |
| Paralegal | +2.4% | 6,300 | |
| Office Manager | this role | 25,630 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -14.2% | 2,500 | |
| Bookkeeper | -21.8% | 21,170 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -23.9% | 28,540 | |
| HR Assistant | -26.3% | 1,150 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -29.4% | 1,100 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -33.8% | 16,330 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -36.0% | 37,780 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -38.9% | 1,460 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -43.7% | 14,320 |
Other areas in Massachusetts
Across the 7 areas of Massachusetts with data for this job, the median runs from $68,320 in Amherst Town-Northampton to $77,990 in Boston-Cambridge, a gap of $9,670 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Boston-Cambridge | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH | this area | 25,630 | |
| Worcester, MA | -6.2% | 3,380 | |
| Springfield, MA | -8.2% | 1,790 | |
| Barnstable Town, MA | -8.5% | 1,020 | |
| Massachusetts (Nonmetro) | -9.1% | 380 | |
| Pittsfield, MA | -9.1% | 580 | |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | -12.4% | 650 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an office manager in Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH?
About $111,414 a year at the median, or $9,285 a month: $77,990 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for office managers in Boston-Cambridge?
The median was $77,990 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $52,290, the 90th $112,060, and the middle half earned $63,380 to $96,820.
Is Boston-Cambridge the most expensive area in Massachusetts for office managers?
Yes. Its median of $77,990 is the highest of 7 areas in Massachusetts. Worcester comes next at $73,130.
How many office managers work in Boston-Cambridge?
BLS counts about 25,630 in the May 2025 survey.
Does an office manager cost more than a payroll specialist in Boston-Cambridge?
Yes: $11,060 a year more at the median. The medians are $77,990 and $66,930.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-1011: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes431011.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.