DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$148,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$91,358 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$80,194 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000 | $162,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000 | $123,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000 | $210,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000 | $262,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,358 | $100,000▲ | -$8,642 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,914 | $149,688▲ | -$19,774 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,194 | $92,400▲ | -$12,206 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 13,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($91,358 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More DevOps Engineer City Comparisons
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.