DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$112,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$110,891 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$96,571 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $148,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $112,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,000 | $192,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,000 | $240,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,891▲ | $91,358 | +$19,533 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,537 | $129,914▲ | -$32,377 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,571▲ | $80,194 | +$16,377 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 10,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $36,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($110,891 vs $91,358 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
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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.