Immigrants from China constitute a highly educated group in Boston, with nearly 14 percent holding doctoral degrees. This results in a significant portion of Chinese immigrants being employed in STEM fields, particularly in computer, mathematical, and science-related occupations.
Representing a substantial portion of the Spanish-speaking immigrant population in Boston, immigrants from the Dominican Republic excel in occupations related to building, grounds cleaning, maintenance, and office and administrative support. Among large Spanish-speaking immigrant groups, they boast the highest likelihood of holding a Bachelor’s degree.
Learn more about Massachusset immigrants from Brazil by reading Latinos in Massachusetts: Dominicans (Gastón Institute, April 2020).
Greater Boston's immigrants from India stand out for their strong presence in STEM occupations, being more than twice as likely as other immigrants to work in these fields. Additionally, over half of Indian immigrants have earned graduate degrees, reflecting their high educational attainment. Their median personal income is notably high at $92,735.
Immigrants from Haiti in Boston exhibit a distinct profile, being almost twice as likely to work in education, health, and social services compared to other immigrants or the U.S.-born population. They also surpass the general immigrant population in eligibility to vote, and more than five times as likely to be healthcare practitioners.
Boston's immigrants from Brazil demonstrate high entrepreneurship, being the most likely among large immigrant populations to be self-employed. They have a noteworthy rate of labor force participation and a low unemployment rate.
Learn more about Massachusset immigrants from Brazil by reading Latinos in Massachusetts: Brazilians (Gastón Institute, April 2020).
Despite having the lowest educational attainment among large immigrant groups in Boston, immigrants from El Salvador lead in workforce participation, with 84.1 percent actively engaged. They also have the highest homeownership rate among large Spanish-speaking immigrant groups in Greater Boston.
Immigrants from Vietnam in Boston have a high rate of citizenship, making them the most likely among large immigrant groups to be eligible to vote. Their median family income is $63,261, higher than that of immigrants in general.
Canadian immigrants in Boston stand out for their higher likelihood of having insurance, holding a graduate degree, or owning a house compared to U.S.-born Greater Bostonians. Approximately a quarter of them work in STEM fields, with an average income exceeding that of U.S.-born individuals by $2,000.
Guatemalan immigrants in Boston display higher rates of workforce participation and self-employment compared to the average for immigrants or U.S.-born individuals. They are well-represented in maintenance, construction, and food service occupations, and more likely to have high school degrees compared to Guatemalan immigrants to the U.S. on average.
Cape Verdeans in Boston outnumber those residing in Cape Verde itself. More than half of Cape Verdean immigrants in Boston are eligible to vote, and they are over seven times as likely to work in food service compared to U.S.-born individuals.
About one in every six (17.6%) Massachusetts residents is foreign-born.
The majority (78%) of immigrants in Massachusetts have authorization.
More than half (54.6%) of all immigrants in Massachusetts have become United States citizens.
How do immigrants impact the Massachusetts workforce? Immigrants in Massachusetts have a 68.9 percent rate of workforce participation.
In Massachusetts, 9.5 percent of immigrants are self-employed.
One quarter (25%) of new U.S. businesses are founded by immigrants.
Information based on data from
• Quick Immigration Statistics: Greater Boston (The Immigrant Learning Center, January 2021)
• Quick Immigration Statistics: Greater Boston (The Immigrant Learning Center, January 2021)