Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Los Angeles, CA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Boston, MA
$194,492
/ year
+22%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$159,955
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$194,492✓ higher
$159,955
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$125,777✓ higher
$103,442
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$300,747✓ higher
$247,342
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,076✓ higher
$107,252
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$138,923✓ higher
$115,909
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$125,777✓ higher
$103,442
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$300,747✓ higher
$247,342

What if you move from Boston to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$34,537
22% decrease
Take-home change
$22,824
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$23,014
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$194,492
P10: $125,777Median: $194,492P90: $300,747
Los Angeles, CA$159,955
P10: $103,442Median: $159,955P90: $247,342

More DevOps Engineer salary comparisons

Boston vs New YorkBoston vs ChicagoBoston vs HoustonBoston vs PhoenixBoston vs PhiladelphiaBoston vs San AntonioAll DevOps Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in Boston or Los Angeles?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $194,492/yr compared to $159,955/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Boston pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a DevOps Engineer salary worth more in Boston or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $138,923/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,909/yr for Los Angeles. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a DevOps Engineer in Boston vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $130,076/yr, vs $107,252/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.