Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs New York, NY

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

Boston, MA
$148,828
/ year
-5%
difference
New York, NY
$156,625
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Boston
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$148,828
$156,625โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$96,246
$101,289โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$230,136
$242,193โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$100,537
$105,243โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,306
$108,017โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40ร—โœ“ lower
1.45ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$96,246
$101,289โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$230,136
$242,193โœ“ higher

What if you move from Boston to New York?

Gross salary change
+$7,797
5% increase
Take-home change
+$4,706
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,711
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$148,828
P10: $96,246Median: $148,828P90: $230,136
New York, NY$156,625
P10: $101,289Median: $156,625P90: $242,193

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Network Engineer earn more in Boston or New York?

The median Network Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $148,828/yr compared to $156,625/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 5% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Network Engineer salary worth more in Boston or New York after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $106,306/yr in a median-cost city, vs $108,017/yr for New York. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Boston vs New York?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $100,537/yr, vs $105,243/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.