Public pay, big bucks

The Herald’s latest “Your Tax Dollars at Work” public payroll report shows a mysterious top earner, a “long-term” substitute and a steam coordinator earning six figures. Here’s the data at a glance:

SOMERVILLE

Ten city employees took home $200,000 or more last year — with the top earner, an anonymous police officer, paid $248,000-plus. City officials said the officer's identity is protected under the state's public records law. The Herald is appealing.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone was a few rows down the payroll, earning $181,300. He joined 278 others with six-figure pay.

CAMBRIDGE

The city manager earned $319,000 last year and 21 others pulled down $200,000 or more. They were joined by 618 city employees taking home six-figure pay. Overall, Cambridge spent $147 million in salaries in 2017, records show.

WORCESTER

The city manager was tops at $248,000, with eight more colleagues earning in the $200,000 range. Another 279 employees took home $100,000 or more, mostly police and teachers.

LOWELL

Two members of the police force were the top earners last year, pulling down $200,000-plus. Another 274 city employees earned $100,000 or more.

LAWRENCE

The police chief topped the list at $233,000, with 190 others earning at least $100,000 last year.

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