Cost of a $30,000 Employee in Massachusetts (2026)
Complete employer cost breakdown for a $30,000 annual salary in Massachusetts, including all mandatory payroll taxes.
A $30,000 employee in Massachusetts costs $33,168–$40,168 in total employer costs in 2026 — $33,168 in salary and mandatory payroll taxes, plus $7,000+ in typical benefits.
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Total Employer Cost
$33,168
1.11x multiplier on a $30,000 salary
$3,168 in employer-paid taxes in Massachusetts
Cost Breakdown: $30,000 Salary in Massachusetts
Mandatory employer payroll taxes only
| Component | Rate / Cap | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | — | $30,000 |
| Social Security (OASDI) | 6.2% up to $184,500 | $1,860 |
| Medicare | 1.45% (no cap) | $435 |
| FUTA (Federal Unemployment) | 0.6% on first $7,000 | $42 |
| SUTA (MA Unemployment) | 2.3% on first $15,000 | $345 |
| Workers' Compensation | 1.28% of payroll | $384 |
| Paid Family Leave | 0.34% | $102 |
| Total Employer Taxes | $3,168 | |
| Total Employer Cost (salary + taxes) | $33,168 (1.11x) | |
These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Benefits ($7K–$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) are additional.
$30,000 Employee Cost Across States
How Massachusetts compares for this salary level
Other Salary Levels in Massachusetts
See how employer costs scale with salary
| Salary | Employer Taxes | Total Cost | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 (current) | $3,168 | $33,168 | 1.11x |
| $40,000 | $4,095 | $44,095 | 1.1x |
| $50,000 | $5,022 | $55,022 | 1.1x |
| $60,000 | $5,949 | $65,949 | 1.1x |
| $75,000 | $7,340 | $82,340 | 1.1x |
| $100,000 | $9,657 | $109,657 | 1.1x |
| $125,000 | $11,975 | $136,975 | 1.1x |
| $150,000 | $14,292 | $164,292 | 1.1x |
The cost multiplier decreases at higher salaries because SUTA and FUTA are capped at lower wage bases.
What a $30,000 Salary Means in Massachusetts
At $30,000 per year, the total employer cost in Massachusetts is $33,168 — a 1.11x multiplier. That means for every dollar of base salary, the employer pays an additional $0.11 in mandatory payroll taxes on top of base compensation.
National context: $30,000 falls bottom quartile nationally. This is a entry-level salary range, typical for retail associates, food service workers, administrative assistants, and entry-level customer service roles. At this salary level, the employer cost multiplier is slightly higher because SUTA and FUTA apply to a larger percentage of total wages before their respective wage bases are reached.
In Massachusetts specifically: The state's SUTA rate of 2.3% on the first $15,000 of wages and workers' comp rate of 1.28% are the primary variables distinguishing this state's employer costs from others. Massachusetts has a state income tax, which affects net take-home pay and may influence what gross salary candidates expect.
Hiring strategy note: Candidates at this tier typically have limited negotiating leverage and prioritize job stability and benefits over base pay.
These figures cover mandatory employer taxes only. Total compensation cost will also include health insurance ($7,000–$17,000/year typical), retirement contributions, and overhead costs (~10% of salary for workspace, equipment, software).
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