DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$140,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$92,105 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$77,191 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000 | $148,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,000 | $112,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $182,000 | $192,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $227,000 | $240,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,105▲ | $91,358 | +$747 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $117,330 | $129,914▲ | -$12,584 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,191 | $80,194▲ | -$3,003 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 10,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $8,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($92,105 vs $91,358 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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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.