Bookkeeper salary in Boston, MA
Median pay, Boston metro
$60,960/year
about $29.31 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $50,450 – $71,660
Half of bookkeepers in the Boston metro area earn more than $60,960 a year and half earn less. That's 20% higher than the national median of $50,670, and ranks #3 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $41,590 | $20.00 |
| 25th | $50,450 | $24.25 |
| Median (50th) | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| 75th | $71,660 | $34.45 |
| 90th (top earners) | $82,710 | $39.76 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a bookkeeper job in the Boston metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $50,450 ($24.25/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $50,450 to $71,660 ($24.25 to $34.45/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $71,660 ($34.45/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask which software you'd use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite). Experience with it can support a higher offer.
- Full-charge bookkeepers who handle everything through month-end close usually earn more than clerks.
- Part-time and contract bookkeeping is common, so compare by hourly rate.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Boston metro. Occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.