Technology Boston, MA Pop. 675,647

Software Engineer Salary in Boston, Massachusetts

The median software engineer salary in Boston, MA is $201,204 per year, which is 62.0% above the national median and 11.7% above the Massachusetts state average.

City Median
$201,204
vs State Avg
+$21,114
vs National
+$77,004
Cost of Living
152%

Software Engineer Salary in Boston by Experience

In Boston, an entry-level software engineer earns around $126,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $299,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$126,360
+$48,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$202,500
+$77,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$299,700
+$114,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boston, MA

Percentile Boston
10th Percentile $120,852
25th Percentile $159,084
Median (50th) $201,204
75th Percentile $256,284
90th Percentile $321,700

Software Engineer Salary in Other Massachusetts Cities

Cambridge, MA
$211,140
Pop. 118,403
Worcester, MA
$149,040
Pop. 206,518
Lowell, MA
$142,830
Pop. 115,554
Springfield, MA
$134,136
Pop. 155,929

How to Become a Software Engineer in Boston

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Boston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Boston

Browse open software engineer positions in Boston, MA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Boston

How much does a Software Engineer make in Boston, MA? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Boston, Massachusetts is $201,204 per year, which is 62.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $120,852 (10th percentile) to $321,700 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Boston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $201,204, a software 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 software engineer pay? ▼
Boston's median software engineer salary of $201,204 is 11.7% above the Massachusetts state average of $180,090. 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 software engineer salary of $201,204 in Boston has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Boston? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Boston require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.