Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$105,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$64,815 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$56,894 vs $66,163
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $116,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850 | $89,320▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400 | $148,480▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $185,600▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,815 | $71,605▲ | -$6,790 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $92,169 | $107,184▲ | -$15,015 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,894 | $66,163▲ | -$9,269 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 87,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $11,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($64,815 vs $71,605 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.