Salary Comparison

Site Reliability Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA

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

Seattle, WA
$223,170
/ year
-1%
difference
Boston, MA
$226,490
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$223,170
$226,490✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$144,323
$146,470✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$345,093
$350,227✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$149,577
$151,835✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$157,162
$161,779✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$144,323
$146,470✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$345,093
$350,227✓ higher

What if you move from Seattle to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$3,320
1% increase
Take-home change
+$2,258
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,617
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

Seattle, WA$223,170
P10: $144,323Median: $223,170P90: $345,093
Boston, MA$226,490
P10: $146,470Median: $226,490P90: $350,227

More Site Reliability Engineer salary comparisons

Seattle vs New YorkSeattle vs Los AngelesSeattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs HoustonSeattle vs PhoenixSeattle vs PhiladelphiaAll Site Reliability Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Site Reliability Engineer earn more in Seattle or Boston?

The median Site Reliability Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $223,170/yr compared to $226,490/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 1% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Site Reliability Engineer salary worth more in Seattle or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $157,162/yr in a median-cost city, vs $161,779/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Site Reliability Engineer in Seattle vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Site Reliability Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $149,577/yr, vs $151,835/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.