Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Boston, MA
$208,331
/ year
+35%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$154,890
/ 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
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$208,331✓ higher
$154,890
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$134,727✓ higher
$100,167
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$322,147✓ higher
$239,510
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$139,487✓ higher
$104,196
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$148,808✓ higher
$143,417
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$134,727✓ higher
$100,167
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$322,147✓ higher
$239,510

What if you move from Boston to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$53,441
35% decrease
Take-home change
$35,291
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,391
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$208,331
P10: $134,727Median: $208,331P90: $322,147
Philadelphia, PA$154,890
P10: $100,167Median: $154,890P90: $239,510

More DevOps Engineer salary comparisons

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

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in Boston or Philadelphia?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $208,331/yr compared to $154,890/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Boston pays 35% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $148,808/yr in a median-cost city, vs $143,417/yr for Philadelphia. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $139,487/yr, vs $104,196/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.