Software Developer salary in Massachusetts
Software Developers in Massachusetts earn a median of $165,210 a year ($79.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 48,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,970 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $135,980. Massachusetts ranks 4th of 50 states for software developers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 13 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $161,730, close to the median.
Pay range for software developers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| 25th percentile | $131,370 | $63.16 |
| Median | $165,210 | $79.43 |
| 75th percentile | $190,280 | $91.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,970 | $102.87 |
| Average (mean) | $161,730 | $77.76 |
Half of software developers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,883.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,354.23 |
| Weekly | $3,177.12 |
| Hourly | $79.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $166,090 | 42,310 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $154,860 | 280 |
| Worcester, MA | $146,950 | 1,800 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $133,690 | 210 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $130,690 | 5,020 |
| Springfield, MA | $127,740 | 650 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $126,670 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Analyst | $128,240 | $61.66 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $110,980 | $53.36 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $122,210 | $58.76 |
| Computer Network Architect | $155,060 | $74.55 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $109,590 | $52.69 |
| Information Security Analyst | $136,550 | $65.65 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $113,540 | $54.59 |
| Database Architect | $161,650 | $77.72 |
| Database Administrator | $129,300 | $62.16 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Web Developer | $98,470 | $47.34 |
| Computer Programmer | $128,390 | $61.73 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $170,510 | $81.97 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1252. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for software developers in Massachusetts is $165,210 a year, or $79.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of software developers in Massachusetts earn at least $213,970 a year. The top 25% earn $190,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,810 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $131,370 or less.
How many software developers work in Massachusetts?
About 48,190 software developers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.