Salary Comparison

Program Manager 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
$213,555
/ year
+11%
difference
Boston, MA
$192,396
/ 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
$213,555✓ higher
$192,396
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$138,105✓ higher
$124,422
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$330,225✓ higher
$297,506
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$143,039✓ higher
$128,651
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$127,116
$137,426✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$138,105✓ higher
$124,422
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$330,225✓ higher
$297,506

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$21,159
11% decrease
Take-home change
$14,388
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$10,310
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$213,555
P10: $138,105Median: $213,555P90: $330,225
Boston, MA$192,396
P10: $124,422Median: $192,396P90: $297,506

More Program Manager salary comparisons

San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs ChicagoSan Francisco vs HoustonSan Francisco vs PhoenixSan Francisco vs PhiladelphiaAll Program Manager salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Program Manager earn more in San Francisco or Boston?

The median Program Manager salary in San Francisco, CA is $213,555/yr compared to $192,396/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 11% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Program Manager 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 $127,116/yr in a median-cost city, vs $137,426/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $143,039/yr, vs $128,651/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.