Software Developer Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton

Designs, builds, and maintains software applications across web, mobile, and systems domains.

Ranks #15 of 530 metros·Massachusetts·$154,835 avg

Boston-Cambridge-Newton ranks #15 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $32,275 above the national average.

Level I
$107,557
vs national avg: +43%
Level II
$131,082
vs national avg: +36%
Level III
$154,606
vs national avg: +32%
Level IV
$178,131
vs national avg: +29%

Boston-Cambridge-Newton vs National Average

LevelThis MetroNational AvgDifference% Change
Level I (Entry)$107,557$75,282+$32,275+42.9%
Level II$131,082$96,293+$34,789+36.1%
Level III (Mid)$154,606$117,303+$37,303+31.8%
Level IV (Senior)$178,131$138,313+$39,818+28.8%

Other metros in Massachusetts

Metro AreaLevel ILevel IVAverage
Massachusetts$100,027$170,082$146,952
Pittsfield$90,917$170,248$144,082
Barnstable Town$96,054$160,805$139,443
Worcester$95,118$158,974$137,904
Providence-Warwick$90,418$147,680$128,773

Want to reach Level III or IV?

Follow the step-by-step roadmap to build the skills employers pay for.

View roadmap →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average software developer salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?

The average software developer salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton is $154,835 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places Boston-Cambridge-Newton at rank #15 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.

What do entry-level software developers earn in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?

Entry-level software developers (Level I) in Boston-Cambridge-Newton earn $107,557 per year. Level II (early career) earns $131,082, reflecting growing independence and experience.

How does Boston-Cambridge-Newton compare to the national average for software developer salaries?

Boston-Cambridge-Newton ranks #15 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $32,275 above the national average. The national average software developer salary is $117,513, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton workers average $154,835 — a difference of +32% overall.

Data source: Salary data sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers nationwide to collect wage data by occupation and geography. The four experience levels reflect DOL standardized tiers. Data reflects the most recently published survey cycle. SOC code: 15-1252.

Software Developer Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton — $108K–$178K Range | JobRoadmaps