Salary data is based on the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area and applied to Medford using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Maintenance Workers Salaries in Medford, MA

Average Base Pay

$76,030/yr

24% above national average

Monthly

$6,336

Hourly

$37

Cost Index

118

Maintenance Workers in Medford, MA earn an average of $76,030 per year, with most salaries falling between $60,824 and $91,236 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 24% above the national average, Medford ranks among the higher-paying markets for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 118. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Medford.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$57K
Low

$76K
Median

$95K
High

25th percentile: $65K75th percentile: $87K

About Maintenance Workers

Auto Mechanics diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles to ensure they are safe and mechanically sound. They work on a wide range of systems including engines, transmissions, brakes, suspension, steering, electrical systems, air conditioning, and exhaust. Modern vehicle diagnostics require connecting scan tools to the vehicle's OBD-II system to read diagnostic trouble codes, interpret live data streams, and perform guided diagnostic procedures. Mechanics must then verify the root cause through physical inspection and component testing before making repairs. Brake service, oil changes, tire rotation, and tune-ups are routine maintenance tasks. Engine and transmission overhauls, timing belt replacements, and hybrid and electric vehicle battery system service represent the more complex end of the work. Auto mechanics must stay current on new vehicle technologies—particularly hybrid, electric, and advanced driver assistance systems—through manufacturer training and ASE certification programs. ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification is the industry standard credential, with master technician status representing proficiency across eight major automotive systems. The field increasingly requires as much computer literacy as mechanical skill.

What Maintenance Workers Do

Diagnose vehicle problems using scan tools, visual inspection, and component testing
Perform engine, transmission, brake, suspension, and electrical repairs
Complete routine maintenance services including oil changes and fluid flushes
Inspect vehicles and identify additional needed repairs
Communicate diagnoses and repair recommendations to service advisors
Test vehicles after repair to verify problem resolution
Maintain a clean and organized work area
Complete repair orders accurately for billing and warranty documentation

Key Skills & Qualifications

OBD-II scan tool proficiency and diagnostic code interpretation
Engine, drivetrain, brake, and suspension repair
Electrical system diagnosis using wiring diagrams and multimeters
HVAC and air conditioning system service (EPA 609 certification)
Hybrid and electric vehicle safety procedures
ASE certification (A1-A8, master technician preferred)
Physical stamina and dexterity
Customer communication through service advisors

Career Path

Lube Technician / Apprentice
Auto Mechanic / Service Technician
ASE Certified Technician
Master Technician
Service Manager / Shop Owner

Maintenance Workers Market in Medford, MA

Salary Competitiveness

Medford is one of the stronger-paying markets for Maintenance Workers, with local salaries running approximately 24% above the national median. This premium typically reflects a combination of higher employer competition, concentrated industry presence, and elevated cost expectations built into local compensation norms.

Cost of Living Impact

The cost of living in Medford is well above the national average, and essential monthly expenses consume roughly 66% of take-home pay for this role. That compression means a higher gross salary buys less financial breathing room than the headline number suggests—particularly for housing, which tends to dominate the budget in high-cost markets.

Effective Purchasing Power

The purchasing power of $76,030 for a Maintenance Workers in Medford is moderate: enough to meet essential expenses and build incremental savings, but requiring deliberate budgeting to avoid margin erosion—especially as rent and healthcare costs have outpaced wage growth across many mid-tier markets.

vs. National Avg

+24%

Cost Pressure

66%

Purchasing Power

Moderate

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$55,502

Monthly

$4,625

Weekly

$1,067

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $76,030 for a Maintenance Workers in Medford translates to roughly $4,625 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $3,056—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $1,569 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Medford's current market.

How far does this salary go in Medford?

Cost of Living in Medford

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Medford, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

118

Above Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,758/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$586/mo

🚗Transportation$158/mo

💡Utilities$206/mo

🏥Healthcare$348/mo

Monthly$3,056

Annual$36,672

Disposable Income$1,569

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Medford to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$4,625

Living Costs

$3,056

Disposable

$1,569

Cost Index

118

Lifestyle

Moderate

With a monthly take-home of $4,625, your estimated living costs in Medford are $3,056 ($36,672/yr). This leaves $1,569 per month in disposable income, indicating a moderate standard of living. Medford's cost of living is 18% above the national average.

Overall, a Maintenance Workers earning $76,030 in Medford falls into a moderate lifestyle tier and can cover essentials and hit modest savings goals, though discretionary spending warrants careful planning. With a cost index of 118, Medford is 18% more expensive than the national average, which compresses real purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Medford continue to evolve.