Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA

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

San Francisco, CA
$213,778
/ year
+10%
difference
Boston, MA
$194,492
/ year
Bottom line: Boston offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$213,778✓ higher
$194,492
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$138,249✓ higher
$125,777
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$330,570✓ higher
$300,747
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$143,191✓ higher
$130,076
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$127,249
$138,923✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$138,249✓ higher
$125,777
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$330,570✓ higher
$300,747

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$19,286
10% decrease
Take-home change
$13,115
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$11,674
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

San Francisco, CA$213,778
P10: $138,249Median: $213,778P90: $330,570
Boston, MA$194,492
P10: $125,777Median: $194,492P90: $300,747

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Boston?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $213,778/yr compared to $194,492/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 10% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $127,249/yr in a median-cost city, vs $138,923/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $143,191/yr, vs $130,076/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.