DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$120,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$116,505 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$102,806 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $120,000 | $148,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $112,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 | $192,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000 | $240,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,505▲ | $91,358 | +$25,147 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,890 | $129,914▲ | -$24,024 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,806▲ | $80,194 | +$22,612 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 10,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $28,000 more (median: $120,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($116,505 vs $91,358 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.