As a commercial port since the colonial era and a manufacturer of shoes, textiles and leather goods in the 19th century, Massachusetts and its capital city of Boston have been of historic importance to the U.S. economy. Today, Massachusetts careers in banking and finance, higher education and biotechnology are at the forefront of America’s economic growth. The area’s rich history is also of local economic importance in the form of tourism, which creates thousands of Massachusetts jobs and adds billions of dollars to the state economy. Boston, aka The Cradle of Liberty, is consistently among the most popular vacation destinations in America.

Printing and publishing is another significant industry sector for Boston jobs. The Greater Boston Area is home to The Atlantic Monthly and educational publisher Houghton Mifflin, as well as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the oldest public school system in the U.S. Other longstanding sources of jobs in Massachusetts include agriculture, commercial fishing and manufacturing. Biotechnology and insurance are leading industry sectors for jobs in Worcester, the second most populous city in MA.