Technology Boston, MA Pop. 675,647

Data Engineer Salary in Boston, Massachusetts

The median data engineer salary in Boston, MA is $202,500 per year, which is 62.0% above the national median and 11.7% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$202,500
vs State Avg
+$21,250
vs National
+$77,500
Cost of Living
152%

Data Engineer Pay in Boston: What to Expect (2026)

Boston offers a median data engineer salary of $202,500, which is $21,250 above the Massachusetts state average of $181,250. Compared to the national median of $125,000, Boston pays above average for this role.

However, Boston's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $202,500 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $133,224. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boston should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data engineers in Boston spans from $126,360 at the 10th percentile to $307,800 at the 90th percentile — a $181,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $129,600, while senior data engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $291,600. As a major metro area with a population of 675,647, Boston typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Data Engineer Salary in Boston by Experience

In Boston, an entry-level data engineer earns around $129,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $291,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$129,600
+$49,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$205,740
+$78,740 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$291,600
+$111,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boston, MA

Percentile Boston
10th Percentile $126,360
25th Percentile $162,000
Median (50th) $202,500
75th Percentile $255,960
90th Percentile $307,800

Data Engineer Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Cambridge, MA
$212,500
Pop. 118,403
Worcester, MA
$150,000
Pop. 206,518
Lowell, MA
$143,750
Pop. 115,554
Springfield, MA
$135,000
Pop. 155,929

How to Become a Data Engineer in Boston

Education

Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Boston and the surrounding Massachusetts area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonSQLSparkAirflowAWS/GCPData Modeling

Job Outlook

Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Boston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Engineer Jobs in Boston

Browse open data engineer positions in Boston, MA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Engineer Salary in Boston

How much does a Data Engineer make in Boston, MA? ▼
The median data engineer salary in Boston, Massachusetts is $202,500 per year, which is 62.0% above the national median of $125,000. Salaries range from $126,360 (10th percentile) to $307,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Engineer make per hour in Boston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $202,500, a data engineer in Boston earns approximately $97 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boston compare to the Massachusetts state average for data engineer pay? ▼
Boston's median data engineer salary of $202,500 is 11.7% above the Massachusetts state average of $181,250. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Boston, MA? ▼
Boston has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a data engineer salary of $202,500 in Boston has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data engineer in Boston? ▼
Most data engineer positions in Boston require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, SQL, Spark, Airflow. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.