DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$110,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$120,879 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$107,236 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $148,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,000 | $112,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,000 | $192,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $178,000 | $240,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $120,879▲ | $91,358 | +$29,521 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,585 | $129,914▲ | -$32,329 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,236▲ | $80,194 | +$27,042 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 10,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $38,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($120,879 vs $91,358 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 5%).
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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.