City Town Info

Lowell Employment

Employment and Industries in the Lowell, Massachusetts Area

Over a quarter of the employees in Lowell, Massachusetts are working in the service industry. Manufacturing, trade, transportation, healthcare, tourism, government, research and electronics are other significant employment sectors. In addition, Lowell has a diversified industrial sector and a large number of small businesses.

Jobs are provided by businesses producing items such as textile machinery, textiles, yarns and threads, wire and cable, computer hardware and software; and electronic publishing and printing. The city is also home to notable companies such as Raytheon, Coca-Cola, M/A Com, Textron and NYNEX.

The state's Workforce Training Fund offers resources for Massachusetts companies to train or retrain existing and new workers. The UMass-Lowell participates in Lowell's economic development plan by giving technical assistance to companies that are in need of engineering support.

Lowell's top private-sector employers are:

  • Lowell General Hospital
  • Saints Medical Center
  • University of MA Lowell
  • M/A COM Technology Solutions
  • Medoulas Market Basket
  • Motorola Inc
  • Middlesex Community College
  • D'Youville Senior Care Center
  • JP Morgan
  • Parexel Consulting
  • Siemens Water Technologies Corp
  • LifeLinks
  • Lowell Community Health Center
  • Trinity EMS
  • Lowell Sun
  • Enterprise Bank & Trust
  • Sterling Commerce
  • DS Graphics
  • Litle & Co
  • Microsemi Corp

Some of the occupations more prevalent in Lowell than most other cities are computer hardware engineers, biomedical engineers, electrical engineers, electrical and electronic equipment assemblers; computer software engineers, systems software; electrical and electronic engineering technicians; and environmental engineers.

Notable data about Lowell Massachusetts: In 2008 the cost of living index was at 124.5 which is higher than the national average of 100. Approximately 18% of the adult population has a bachelor's degree or better. In 2007 the estimated median household income in Lowell was $47,000.

Helpful organizations offering to work with local businesses include:

Lowell Sun Online is a good resource for keeping up-to-date regarding Lowell business and industry news.

Most Popular Jobs in Lowell, Massachusetts Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Computer software engineers, systems software2,460103,010$69,940 - 137,87028%85%
2Computer software engineers, applications2,150105,840$75,060 - 140,92045%85%
3Registered nurses1,91071,060$48,620 - 92,03024%56%
4Elementary school teachers, except special education1,43062,250$45,360 - 81,05014%95%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,40068,150$34,230 - 103,1408%51%
6Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products1,26088,220$48,860 - 134,57012%51%
7Electrical engineers1,110101,640$67,440 - 137,0406%81%
8Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education1,02061,610$44,510 - 80,97011%95%
9Computer systems analysts97092,690$65,490 - 126,98029%68%
10Accountants and auditors93072,790$40,910 - 124,36018%79%
11Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education91059,350$40,740 - 80,2506%96%
12Chief executives780159,890$61,120 - 2%65%
13Engineering managers660138,510$89,860 - 7%84%
14Computer hardware engineers650114,770$80,210 - 153,8605%70%
15Computer and information systems managers630140,220$88,660 - 16%73%
16Electronics engineers, except computer62090,370$51,390 - 135,5304%81%
17Financial managers580113,100$58,860 - 13%60%
18Management analysts58090,430$42,780 - 155,80022%78%
19Industrial engineers57085,930$52,630 - 124,53020%74%
20Sales managers510120,690$59,300 - 10%69%
21Mechanical engineers48089,710$57,220 - 126,5904%78%
22Social and human service assistants40034,780$22,680 - 57,00034%58%
23Network and computer systems administrators39077,060$52,810 - 104,44027%50%
24Market research analysts39081,700$37,210 - 137,78020%82%
25Mental health and substance abuse social workers38035,740$22,450 - 55,51030%77%
26Self-enrichment education teachers38043,640$26,320 - 66,66023%54%
27Marketing managers370134,960$85,880 - 14%69%
28Computer programmers350105,600$53,130 - 162,2300%73%
29Child, family, and school social workers33054,710$35,060 - 76,56019%77%
30Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school32057,080$41,730 - 72,78020%87%
31Sales engineers29092,490$57,040 - 145,6409%79%
32Civil engineers27084,390$55,520 - 133,73018%87%
33Environmental engineers26081,800$46,630 - 133,01025%86%
34Education administrators, elementary and secondary school26094,010$72,940 - 112,9508%78%
35Chemists25099,150$43,030 - 158,0809%93%
36Pharmacists250100,060$53,090 - 131,05022%97%
37Lawyers24099,930$45,090 - 11%99%
38Training and development specialists23068,680$43,770 - 100,27018%56%
39Special education teachers, middle school22059,060$41,870 - 79,38016%87%
40Network systems and data communications analysts22085,130$57,510 - 109,38053%57%
41Environmental scientists and specialists, including health20069,730$39,010 - 118,57025%93%
42Managers, all other20087,840$57,250 - 126,4007%55%
43Financial analysts20080,120$49,470 - 117,85034%87%
44Medical and health services managers20086,540$32,630 - 128,29016%57%
45Chemical engineers19085,730$50,380 - 128,1208%91%
46Technical writers19079,660$49,990 - 104,71020%74%
47Educational, vocational, and school counselors19065,520$45,170 - 84,93013%73%
48Physical therapists18069,930$53,690 - 87,02027%89%
49Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other17074,130$47,140 - 101,78017%56%
50Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation17074,520$42,010 - 120,5305%58%
51Computer specialists, all other17075,180$36,840 - 107,06015%68%
52Vocational education teachers, secondary school16065,440$48,090 - 80,5300%96%
53Special education teachers, secondary school16059,330$43,010 - 78,2609%87%
54Database administrators15081,670$48,900 - 120,86029%72%
55Librarians14068,590$40,670 - 104,0004%85%
56Natural sciences managers140122,960$73,670 - 11%93%
57Public relations specialists13069,790$31,620 - 117,22018%81%
58Social and community service managers12048,150$34,010 - 65,41025%72%
59Occupational therapists12063,220$33,090 - 89,81023%90%
60Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists12065,190$43,280 - 92,09018%56%
61Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers12073,180$44,240 - 120,84022%93%
62Graphic designers12051,230$30,290 - 77,81010%55%
63Medical and public health social workers12059,330$40,580 - 77,26024%77%
64Financial specialists, all other11055,400$31,640 - 78,76012%50%
65Medical and clinical laboratory technologists11059,250$46,530 - 70,58012%51%
66Purchasing managers110109,550$66,690 - 157,2303%57%
67Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists11081,380$55,540 - 113,19016%99%
68Biomedical engineers10082,500$47,840 - 126,48021%76%
69Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists10059,000$27,240 - 100,25018%56%
70Instructional coordinators8077,400$41,590 - 102,40023%79%
71Human resources managers, all other80120,300$75,800 - 11%58%
72Compensation and benefits managers70118,750$72,360 - 12%58%
73Biological technicians7057,270$34,750 - 82,78016%60%
74Operations research analysts7085,160$49,380 - 125,76011%71%
75Budget analysts7071,260$46,930 - 101,3207%78%
76Materials scientists6077,690$53,880 - 112,1509%93%
77Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents6073,060$19,730 - 131,10025%67%
78Rehabilitation counselors6039,500$23,190 - 65,40023%73%
79Speech-language pathologists6061,610$47,390 - 81,29011%98%
80Coaches and scouts6060,500$17,060 - 89,89015%60%
81Health educators5046,580$21,380 - 76,66026%58%
82Occupational health and safety specialists5062,400$38,840 - 88,1308%72%
83Veterinarians5079,710$53,100 - 102,11035%100%
84Credit analysts5049,270$29,580 - 76,7402%60%
85Floral designers5028,090$22,480 - 34,7300%55%
86Medical and clinical laboratory technicians5040,860$25,740 - 61,30015%51%
87Medical scientists, except epidemiologists5090,070$55,770 - 129,22020%99%
88Editors5056,550$30,340 - 85,8102%81%
89Physician assistants5078,230$45,420 - 102,62027%67%
90Engineers, all other40 $ - 6%82%
91Recreational therapists4036,700$27,410 - 47,6504%77%
92Personal financial advisors4065,620$45,990 - 88,09041%81%
93Microbiologists4076,560$50,020 - 101,30011%95%
94Commercial and industrial designers4079,160$49,240 - 114,2207%55%
95Dentists, general40119,890$74,530 - 9%100%
96Sales and related workers, all other4050,300$27,560 - 76,61014%62%
97Urban and regional planners4062,540$44,140 - 85,27015%92%
98Training and development managers30108,880$76,730 - 152,68016%58%
99Advertising sales agents3050,440$24,190 - 78,65020%56%
100Social workers, all other3046,530$26,010 - 77,69018%77%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Cashiers3,16020,630$16,640 - 28,020-2%10%
2Retail salespersons2,40030,760$17,380 - 52,15012%25%
3Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand2,19027,370$18,360 - 40,3002%5%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,08018,980$16,710 - 22,06018%5%
5Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,90027,870$21,990 - 33,86018%7%
6Customer service representatives1,89039,540$21,970 - 58,06025%22%
7Office clerks, general1,85033,250$19,140 - 49,45013%19%
8Waiters and waitresses1,72023,440$16,670 - 31,59011%14%
9Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,49028,840$17,930 - 42,46015%4%
10Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,47039,100$23,490 - 55,37013%16%
11General and operations managers1,430111,380$53,990 - 2%48%
12Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,43046,670$33,830 - 64,23010%4%
13Stock clerks and order fillers1,32025,750$16,880 - 44,450-7%8%
14Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks1,30035,550$23,790 - 48,9904%6%
15Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers1,26031,000$21,620 - 41,250-26%6%
16Teacher assistants1,26022,560$17,170 - 30,25010%18%
17Security guards1,15026,770$21,400 - 34,51017%13%
18Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,14047,810$33,170 - 65,42015%18%
19Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,11037,130$23,580 - 50,8101%18%
20First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,06055,960$34,850 - 85,8206%29%
21Computer support specialists1,04066,140$38,680 - 102,82013%43%
22Electrical and electronic engineering technicians96048,380$33,710 - 69,6804%18%
23Receptionists and information clerks95028,050$19,640 - 39,68017%13%
24Truck drivers, light or delivery services92036,990$18,590 - 61,6008%4%
25Business operations specialists, all other90070,980$40,790 - 113,41021%49%
26Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses89047,000$36,000 - 60,53014%7%
27Food preparation workers80021,430$16,640 - 30,22015%7%
28Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop77019,540$16,640 - 25,17010%8%
29Preschool teachers, except special education76026,950$19,640 - 35,77026%43%
30Packers and packagers, hand74022,770$16,930 - 31,860-11%3%
31Team assemblers70030,420$19,200 - 47,7200%5%
32First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers67046,540$27,380 - 73,2404%25%
33Automotive service technicians and mechanics65042,930$27,180 - 62,37014%4%
34First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers64068,480$37,420 - 107,630-4%15%
35Electricians63046,670$28,580 - 66,1107%7%
36Construction laborers62037,830$25,720 - 53,59011%5%
37Cooks, restaurant61026,060$18,860 - 32,74012%5%
38Landscaping and groundskeeping workers60034,240$22,600 - 58,53018%6%
39First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers59035,270$22,360 - 50,03011%14%
40Carpenters56048,540$30,730 - 73,06010%6%
41Maintenance and repair workers, general55043,490$28,570 - 60,35010%6%
42Tellers54027,090$21,790 - 33,23014%16%
43Maids and housekeeping cleaners54023,240$17,990 - 29,52013%5%
44Police and sheriff's patrol officers54054,260$38,000 - 67,59011%33%
45Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers52035,850$22,970 - 50,360-6%14%
46Bartenders49020,740$16,660 - 28,06011%17%
47Sales representatives, services, all other46074,230$35,260 - 126,30028%48%
48Bus drivers, school46033,050$22,290 - 40,6809%4%
49Dishwashers44020,320$16,700 - 25,78010%3%
50Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers44061,400$35,860 - 86,6003%13%
51Printing machine operators42040,270$27,990 - 53,210-5%6%
52Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers42061,580$40,310 - 80,1409%3%
53Fire fighters42054,460$40,040 - 68,50012%18%
54Billing and posting clerks and machine operators42031,920$21,080 - 41,8804%15%
55First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers41064,910$43,140 - 88,8309%10%
56Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers41022,500$16,800 - 32,62012%6%
57Medical assistants40034,690$25,690 - 47,08035%10%
58Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters40050,760$35,770 - 69,99011%4%
59Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists40024,650$16,640 - 38,62012%6%
60Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products39066,610$42,240 - 97,6300%42%
61Medical secretaries36033,540$23,020 - 45,95017%18%
62Cooks, fast food36019,270$16,830 - 23,2808%5%
63Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic35029,720$25,120 - 37,2900%3%
64Machinists35044,730$26,630 - 64,620-2%3%
65Telecommunications line installers and repairers33050,410$22,780 - 76,1205%8%
66Production, planning, and expediting clerks32045,850$29,300 - 65,2504%30%
67Home health aides32025,860$21,300 - 31,62049%7%
68Postal service mail carriers320 1%11%
69Telemarketers31030,590$18,570 - 46,440-9%14%
70Helpers--production workers30027,440$20,510 - 34,6700%4%
71Personal and home care aides30023,480$20,680 - 26,32051%10%
72First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers30062,770$30,520 - 99,1107%13%
73Administrative services managers29083,610$54,060 - 121,88012%40%
74Pharmacy technicians29028,390$20,520 - 37,91032%16%
75Electromechanical equipment assemblers28029,090$19,370 - 40,960-8%6%
76Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators27053,690$37,250 - 77,5109%47%
77Data entry keyers27029,340$21,040 - 43,610-4%18%
78Dental hygienists27079,180$67,350 - 98,12030%33%
79First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers27038,530$23,590 - 55,27013%11%
80First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand26043,340$28,220 - 66,09013%17%
81Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop26021,460$16,780 - 27,36010%17%
82Counter and rental clerks26021,980$17,090 - 29,66023%16%
83Emergency medical technicians and paramedics26044,120$25,610 - 78,88019%14%
84Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders25027,510$18,460 - 37,420-4%5%
85Dental assistants24044,260$34,100 - 53,80029%9%
86Helpers--electricians24032,300$22,190 - 42,2907%3%
87Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents23046,910$36,170 - 60,1202%43%
88Cost estimators22062,620$39,580 - 88,54019%32%
89Roofers22050,850$34,580 - 80,09014%3%
90Recreation workers22025,960$16,890 - 38,81013%47%
91Industrial production managers210111,020$62,420 - 164,700-5%43%
92Insurance sales agents21083,600$35,410 - 13%45%
93Production workers, all other21034,380$18,690 - 49,8302%5%
94Food service managers21049,370$23,420 - 67,8005%24%
95Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists20045,100$32,720 - 60,37012%3%
96Eligibility interviewers, government programs19049,350$36,000 - 61,8103%38%
97Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other19038,320$24,900 - 66,3108%9%
98Industrial truck and tractor operators19033,450$22,680 - 47,930-1%2%
99Paralegals and legal assistants19049,850$38,200 - 63,24022%45%
100Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products18054,760$29,510 - 86,5400%36%
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Jobs More Common Near Lowell Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Computer hardware engineers114,77065012.4
Biomedical engineers82,50010011.6
Chemical engineers85,7301908.2
Electrical engineers101,6401,1108.2
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers31,0001,2607.2
Electromechanical equipment assemblers29,0902807
Computer software engineers, systems software103,0102,4606.9
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians48,3809606.6
Environmental engineers81,8002606
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic29,7203506
Mechanical engineering technicians51,3801805.4
Electronics engineers, except computer90,3706205.1
Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents46,9102304.9
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers73,1801204.8
Technical writers79,6601904.7
Computer software engineers, applications105,8402,1504.5
Sales engineers92,4902904.4
Engineering managers138,5106604.1
Natural sciences managers122,9601403.9
Mental health and substance abuse social workers35,7403803.7
Chemists99,1502503.5
Chemical technicians57,0201803.4
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products88,2201,2603.4
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers69,2101203.3
Industrial engineers85,9305703.3
Chief executives159,8907803.1
Industrial engineering technicians50,0201603
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health69,7302003
Appraisers and assessors of real estate53,6501402.8
Eligibility interviewers, government programs49,3501902.8
Special education teachers, middle school59,0602202.8
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment54,1401702.8
Self-enrichment education teachers43,6403802.7
Vocational education teachers, secondary school65,4401602.7
Helpers--electricians32,3002402.7
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators55,1501102.7
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers61,4004402.7
Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters40,6701002.6
Printing machine operators40,2704202.6
Mechanical engineers89,7104802.5
Telecommunications line installers and repairers50,4103302.5
Marketing managers134,9603702.4
Computer and information systems managers140,2206302.4
Preschool teachers, except special education26,9507602.2
Roofers50,8502202.2
Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders33,0301502.1
Computer support specialists66,1401,0402.1
Computer systems analysts92,6909702
Service station attendants21,5901102
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks35,5501,3002

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Lowell, Massachusetts Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Property, real estate, and community association managers118,2302.21140
Computer programmers105,6001.64350
Computer support specialists66,1401.581,040
Highway maintenance workers55,1701.57110
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators55,1501.53110
Chemists99,1501.5250
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers61,5801.5420
Insurance sales agents83,6001.49210
Order clerks41,7701.49160
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation74,5201.48170
Roofers50,8501.44220
Sales representatives, services, all other74,2301.43460
Bill and account collectors43,6501.42180
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers34,2401.41600
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics44,1201.41260
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping48,8401.4180
Market research analysts81,7001.39390
Computer and information systems managers140,2201.39630
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan39,3201.39160
Public relations specialists69,7901.38130
Dental assistants44,2601.37240
Computer software engineers, applications105,8401.372,150
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other74,1301.37170
Training and development specialists68,6801.36230
Chemical technicians57,0201.36180
Computer systems analysts92,6901.35970
Child, family, and school social workers54,7101.35330
Technical writers79,6601.35190
Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders43,2501.34150
Library technicians39,4801.34110
Customer service representatives39,5401.331,890
Marketing managers134,9601.32370
Network systems and data communications analysts85,1301.32220
Eligibility interviewers, government programs49,3501.31190
Office clerks, general33,2501.311,850
Librarians68,5901.31140
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers68,4801.29640
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers22,5001.29410
Fire fighters54,4601.29420
Medical and public health social workers59,3301.29120
Truck drivers, light or delivery services36,9901.28920
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive37,1301.271,110
Graphic designers51,2301.27120
Electrical engineers101,6401.271,110
Educational, vocational, and school counselors65,5201.27190
Computer hardware engineers114,7701.27650
Payroll and timekeeping clerks42,5201.27170
Maintenance and repair workers, general43,4901.27550
Bus drivers, school33,0501.26460
Engineering managers138,5101.26660

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