๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 112 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Quincy, MA

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$71,877
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$64,405
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$163,105
1BR Rent
$2,377
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Quincy: you can make a solid six-figure salary and still feel the squeeze. Itโ€™s not a city that hides its costs, but it also doesnโ€™t hide the opportunities. With a population just over 101,000, it has the feel of a larger suburb, and its job market reflects that.

Quincyโ€™s cost of living sits at 111.6โ€”about 12% higher than the national average. Thatโ€™s not Boston-level inflation, but itโ€™s real. A $163,000 marketing manager salary here adjusts to about $146,000 in true purchasing power. The median household income is $92,085, which sounds comfortable until you see that a one-bedroom apartment runs $2,377 a month. The math gets tight fast.

Whoโ€™s thriving? Look to the healthcare, tech, and construction sectors. Quincy has deep roots in insurance and finance, but in 2026, youโ€™ll find a lot of software developers and project managers working for firms that serve the broader Boston metro. The unemployment rate is a low 3.5%, and over half the population holds a bachelorโ€™s degree or higher, which helps explain why the top-paying jobs cluster in skilled, licensed, or management roles.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages here are good, but theyโ€™re not sprinting ahead of costs. A software developerโ€™s $131,688 salary feels strong until you adjust it to $118,000. For someone in a licensed field like pharmacy, the $140,763 salary holds its value a bit better. Quincy works best for dual-income households or those in the top-tier occupations listed below. If youโ€™re early in your career or in a lower-paid field, itโ€™s a tougher climb.

The data that follows breaks down who earns what, and what those salaries really mean for your wallet in this specific city.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Quincy

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +4% vs national

Marketing Manager

$163,105
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $146,151
โฑ Hourly $78.42/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 203
๐Ÿฅˆ +4% vs national

Pharmacist

$140,763
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $126,132
โฑ Hourly $67.67/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 203
๐Ÿฅ‰ +4% vs national

Software Developer

$131,688
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $118,000
โฑ Hourly $63.31/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 609
4๏ธโƒฃ +4% vs national

Construction Manager

$111,975
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $100,336
โฑ Hourly $53.83/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 203
5๏ธโƒฃ +4% vs national

Project Manager

$104,804
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $93,910
โฑ Hourly $50.39/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 203

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Quincy

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (112/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $163,105
2 Pharmacist $140,763
3 Software Developer $131,688
4 Construction Manager $111,975
5 Project Manager $104,804
6 Physical Therapist $103,179
7 Financial Analyst $102,455
8 Web Developer $95,977
9 Dental Hygienist $90,576
10 Accountant $89,075
11 Registered Nurse $89,065
12 Data Analyst $86,260
13 Police Officer $77,516
14 Human Resources Specialist $70,004
15 Elementary School Teacher $65,885
16 Plumber $65,554
17 Paralegal $64,933
18 Electrician $63,691
19 Real Estate Agent $63,619
20 Graphic Designer $63,474
21 Firefighter $59,107
22 Carpenter $58,900
23 HVAC Technician $57,607
24 Heavy Truck Driver $54,937
25 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $51,740
26 Insurance Agent $51,740
27 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $51,740
28 Pharmacy Technician $51,740
29 Dental Assistant $51,740
30 Loan Officer $51,740
31 Nail Technician $51,740
32 Cosmetologist $51,740
33 Personal Trainer $51,740
34 Chef/Head Cook $51,740
35 Social Worker $51,740
36 Auto Mechanic $51,740
37 Veterinary Technician $51,740
38 Welder $51,315
39 Medical Assistant $39,601
40 Security Guard $37,397

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Quincy

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$2,377/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$2,827/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$687,500
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.5%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$92,085
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
53%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
112
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Quincy?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Quincy. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Quincy Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Quincy, MA?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Quincy is $71,877. This is 11.6% higher than the national average due to the local Cost of Living Index of 111.6. The median household income is $92,085, indicating a higher earning potential for households.

What jobs pay the most in Quincy?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Marketing Manager, with an average salary of $163,105. This position significantly outpaces the city's average salary of $71,877. It offers a strong income relative to the local cost of living.

Is Quincy affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $163,105 is highly affordable in Quincy. The annual rent for a 1BR apartment is $28,524, which is only 17.5% of the pre-tax salary. This leaves substantial disposable income after housing costs.

How does Quincy's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Quincy's Cost of Living Index is 111.6, meaning expenses are 11.6% higher than the national average. This reduces the purchasing power of your paycheck compared to lower-cost areas. A $71,877 salary here has the equivalent buying power of about $64,400 nationally.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Quincy?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a salary that covers a 1BR rent ($2,377/mo) at the recommended 30% of income is about $95,080 annually. The median household income of $92,085 is close to this threshold. A salary of $100,000+ provides a comfortable buffer above basic housing costs.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Quincy Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Quincy is pricey and the math is tight. With an average salary of $71,877, rent at $2,377/month, and a cost-of-living index of 111.6, your paycheck doesnโ€™t stretch far. If youโ€™re chasing the highest earnings, marketing management is the standout, with top pay around $163,105 and a COL-adjusted value of roughly $146,151โ€”even then, youโ€™re paying a premium to live here.

Who benefits most? Tech and healthcare workers who can tap Boston salaries while living a bit cheaper, plus skilled trades with steady demand and overtime. Pure remote workers can do well if they lock in big-city pay.

Is Quincy worth it financially? Only if the job pays well enough to absorb the rent and taxes, or you split costs.

Advice: Before you move, secure a firm offer at least 20% above the city average or a hybrid/remote setup that doesnโ€™t require commuting five days a week.

Explore Quincy Further