Computer Programmers Salary
Computer Programmers in Massachusetts make a median of $128,390 a year, or about $61.73 an hour. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $168K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $128,275 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 30.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $128K actually covers in Massachusetts, month by month
About computer programmers
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sits well above the national pay line for computer programmers, local pay runs about 28% higher than the U.S. median of $100K. Rent runs $2,347/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K. Top earners bring in $168K or more, a $91K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers salary by metro in Massachusetts
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $129K | +0% | 1,600 |
| Worcester | $119K | -7% | 90 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $68K | -47% | 50 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a computer programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $128K, rent takes 30.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer programmers in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer programmers typically earn — is $77K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,895/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer programmer a high-paying job in Massachusetts?
Local pay is 28% above the national median — $128K here vs. $100K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for computer programmers?
Massachusetts pays $128K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s +28%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $128K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer programmers make in Massachusetts?
The median is $128,390 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,060, and experienced computer programmers can clear $168,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,674/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 30.6% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $128,275 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.