Salary Comparison

Network 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
$176,988
/ year
+19%
difference
Boston, MA
$148,828
/ 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
$176,988✓ higher
$148,828
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$114,457✓ higher
$96,246
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$273,681✓ higher
$230,136
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$118,173✓ higher
$100,537
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$105,350
$106,306✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$114,457✓ higher
$96,246
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$273,681✓ higher
$230,136

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$28,160
19% decrease
Take-home change
$17,636
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$956
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$176,988
P10: $114,457Median: $176,988P90: $273,681
Boston, MA$148,828
P10: $96,246Median: $148,828P90: $230,136

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Network Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $176,988/yr compared to $148,828/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 19% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network 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 $105,350/yr in a median-cost city, vs $106,306/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $118,173/yr, vs $100,537/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.