Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$103,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$67,763 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$58,543 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $103,000 | $105,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,310 | $80,850▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $131,840 | $134,400▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $164,800 | $168,000▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,763▲ | $64,815 | +$2,948 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,986 | $92,169▲ | -$3,183 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,543▲ | $56,894 | +$1,649 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 63,000 | +4,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $2,000 more (median: $103,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($67,763 vs $64,815 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.