Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs San Antonio, TX

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

Boston, MA
$148,828
/ year
+60%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$92,868
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Boston
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$148,828โœ“ higher
$92,868
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$96,246โœ“ higher
$60,057
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$230,136โœ“ higher
$143,604
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$100,537โœ“ higher
$66,765
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,306โœ“ higher
$105,532
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40ร—
0.88ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$96,246โœ“ higher
$60,057
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$230,136โœ“ higher
$143,604

What if you move from Boston to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$55,960
60% decrease
Take-home change
$33,772
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$774
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
San Antonio, TX$92,868
P10: $60,057Median: $92,868P90: $143,604

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Network Engineer earn more in Boston or San Antonio?

The median Network Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $148,828/yr compared to $92,868/yr in San Antonio, TX. Boston pays 60% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Network Engineer salary worth more in Boston or San Antonio 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 $105,532/yr for San Antonio. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $100,537/yr, vs $66,765/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.