Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Denver, CO

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

Boston, MA
$138,941
/ year
+9%
difference
Denver, CO
$127,569
/ year
Bottom line: Denver offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$138,941✓ higher
$127,569
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$89,852✓ higher
$82,498
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$214,848✓ higher
$197,263
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,570✓ higher
$87,707
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$99,244
$111,903✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$89,852✓ higher
$82,498
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$214,848✓ higher
$197,263

What if you move from Boston to Denver?

Gross salary change
$11,372
9% decrease
Take-home change
$6,863
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$12,659
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$138,941
P10: $89,852Median: $138,941P90: $214,848
Denver, CO$127,569
P10: $82,498Median: $127,569P90: $197,263

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Boston or Denver?

The median Network Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $138,941/yr compared to $127,569/yr in Denver, CO. Boston pays 9% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Boston or Denver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $99,244/yr in a median-cost city, vs $111,903/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Boston vs Denver?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $94,570/yr, vs $87,707/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.