Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Boston, MA
$221,765
/ year
+31%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$169,692
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$221,765✓ higher
$169,692
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$143,414✓ higher
$109,739
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$342,920✓ higher
$262,399
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$148,622✓ higher
$113,212
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$158,404
$161,611✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$143,414✓ higher
$109,739
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$342,920✓ higher
$262,399

What if you move from Boston to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$52,073
31% decrease
Take-home change
$35,410
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,207
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$221,765
P10: $143,414Median: $221,765P90: $342,920
Atlanta, GA$169,692
P10: $109,739Median: $169,692P90: $262,399

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Boston or Atlanta?

The median Security Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $221,765/yr compared to $169,692/yr in Atlanta, GA. Boston pays 31% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Boston or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $158,404/yr in a median-cost city, vs $161,611/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Boston vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $148,622/yr, vs $113,212/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.