Computer Programmers Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Computer Programmers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH make a median of $115,190 a year, or about $55.38 an hour. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $106,391 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 40.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $115K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About computer programmers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $115K. Top earners bring in $163K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $159K | +61% | 3,220 |
| Montana | $129K | +30% | 450 |
| Oregon | $127K | +29% | 1,180 |
| California | $116K | +18% | 14,720 |
| Massachusetts | $115K | +17% | 3,040 |
| Virginia | $112K | +13% | 4,210 |
| Wisconsin | $110K | +11% | 3,020 |
| Minnesota | $108K | +10% | 1,960 |
| Hawaii | $108K | +9% | N/A |
| Wyoming | $105K | +7% | 60 |
| Kentucky | $105K | +6% | 1,640 |
| Maine | $103K | +4% | 420 |
| Maryland | $103K | +4% | 2,360 |
| New Jersey | $103K | +4% | 4,000 |
| Oklahoma | $101K | +2% | 1,420 |
| Delaware | $101K | +2% | 370 |
| Arkansas | $101K | +2% | 1,140 |
| South Carolina | $101K | +2% | 880 |
| Connecticut | $101K | +2% | 1,460 |
| New York | $100K | +2% | 7,090 |
| Ohio | $100K | +1% | 2,030 |
| Tennessee | $99K | +1% | 1,300 |
| Florida | $99K | -0% | 4,700 |
| Georgia | $98K | -1% | 2,330 |
| North Carolina | $96K | -3% | 3,880 |
| Rhode Island | $95K | -4% | 360 |
| Nebraska | $94K | -5% | 1,390 |
| Missouri | $94K | -5% | 1,410 |
| Nevada | $93K | -6% | 420 |
| Kansas | $92K | -7% | 600 |
| Alaska | $89K | -10% | 520 |
| North Dakota | $89K | -10% | 230 |
| Utah | $88K | -10% | 1,200 |
| Alabama | $87K | -12% | 1,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $85K | -14% | 4,130 |
| Iowa | $85K | -14% | 1,020 |
| Louisiana | $84K | -15% | 1,640 |
| New Mexico | $84K | -15% | 490 |
| Indiana | $84K | -15% | 2,120 |
| Illinois | $83K | -15% | 1,470 |
| District of Columbia | $83K | -16% | 1,000 |
| New Hampshire | $81K | -18% | 590 |
| Texas | $81K | -18% | 11,220 |
| Idaho | $80K | -19% | 170 |
| Vermont | $78K | -21% | 150 |
| Arizona | $72K | -27% | 4,170 |
| Michigan | $69K | -30% | 5,350 |
| West Virginia | $65K | -34% | 190 |
| Mississippi | $65K | -34% | 600 |
| South Dakota | $57K | -43% | 70 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track computer programmers salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do computer programmers make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $115,190 a year, that works out to about $55 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,720, and experienced computer programmers can clear $163,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $115K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,972/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 42.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a computer programmers salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer programmers salary is worth about $106,391 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer programmers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.