Cost of hiring a recruiter in Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH
Recruiters earn more in Boston-Cambridge than anywhere else in Massachusetts. Expect a median of $90,270 a year[1], 5.4% above the Massachusetts statewide median of $85,630 and 18.9% above the US median of $75,940. Only 7 of 521 US areas pay more for this job. It is the largest market for the job in Massachusetts: about 21,770 people.
BLS occupation 13-1071, 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 | $58,280 | $90,270 | $146,660 | |
| Massachusetts | $57,500 | $85,630 | $145,130 | |
| United States | $47,180 | $75,940 | $128,720 |
Recruiters at the 90th percentile earn $146,660, 2.5 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.7. The middle half of recruiters in Boston-Cambridge earns $68,650–$121,700.
What to budget for a recruiter here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,280 | $4,857 | $28.02 | $83,257 |
| 25th percentile | $68,650 | $5,721 | $33.00 | $98,071 |
| Median | $90,270 | $7,522 | $43.40 | $128,957 |
| 75th percentile | $121,700 | $10,142 | $58.51 | $173,857 |
| 90th percentile | $146,660 | $12,222 | $70.51 | $209,514 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $21,620 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $31,430, or about $44,900 once benefits are added. 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
At the $90,270 median, a local hire costs about $128,957 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $38,687 here. 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 recruiters 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 #4 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $114,990 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $43,930.
| Role | Median | vs recruiter | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +27.4% | 18,840 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +13.4% | 32,310 | |
| Accountant | +10.9% | 37,150 | |
| Recruiter | this role | 21,770 | |
| Executive Assistant | -5.6% | 11,290 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -7.6% | 25,310 | |
| Paralegal | -11.5% | 6,300 | |
| Office Manager | -13.6% | 25,630 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -25.9% | 2,500 | |
| Bookkeeper | -32.5% | 21,170 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -34.3% | 28,540 | |
| HR Assistant | -36.4% | 1,150 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -39.0% | 1,100 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -42.8% | 16,330 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -44.7% | 37,780 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -47.2% | 1,460 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -51.3% | 14,320 |
Other areas in Massachusetts
Across the 7 areas of Massachusetts with data for this job, the median runs from $74,210 in Pittsfield to $90,270 in Boston-Cambridge, a gap of $16,060 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Boston-Cambridge | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH | this area | 21,770 | |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | -10.5% | 310 | |
| Massachusetts (Nonmetro) | -12.5% | 160 | |
| Springfield, MA | -13.9% | 1,030 | |
| Worcester, MA | -14.4% | 2,050 | |
| Barnstable Town, MA | -15.8% | 400 | |
| Pittsfield, MA | -17.8% | 290 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a recruiter in Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH?
About $128,957 a year at the median, or $10,746 a month: $90,270 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 recruiters in Boston-Cambridge?
The median was $90,270 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $58,280, the 90th $146,660, and the middle half earned $68,650 to $121,700.
Is Boston-Cambridge the most expensive area in Massachusetts for recruiters?
Yes. Its median of $90,270 is the highest of 7 areas in Massachusetts. Amherst Town-Northampton comes next at $80,770.
How many recruiters work in Boston-Cambridge?
BLS counts about 21,770 in the May 2025 survey.
Does a recruiter cost more than an executive assistant in Boston-Cambridge?
Yes: $5,010 a year more at the median. The medians are $90,270 and $85,260.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-1071: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131071.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.