Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Washington DC, DC

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

Boston, MA
$207,034
/ year
-6%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$219,296
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$207,034
$219,296✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$133,888
$141,818✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$320,141
$339,102✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$138,605
$146,943✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$147,881
$154,434✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×✓ lower
1.42×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$133,888
$141,818✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$320,141
$339,102✓ higher

What if you move from Boston to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
+$12,262
6% increase
Take-home change
+$8,338
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$6,553
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$207,034
P10: $133,888Median: $207,034P90: $320,141
Washington DC, DC$219,296
P10: $141,818Median: $219,296P90: $339,102

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Boston or Washington DC?

The median Security Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $207,034/yr compared to $219,296/yr in Washington DC, DC. Washington DC pays 6% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $147,881/yr in a median-cost city, vs $154,434/yr for Washington DC. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $138,605/yr, vs $146,943/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.