Software Developer (Non-R&D) salary in Boston, MA
Based on 21 certified H-1B filings in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Cambridge, Quincy, Waltham.
Median salary$129,605
Middle 50%$111.2k–$147k
vs. national median+13%comparison median $115,000
Filings21FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
National median
$80k$90k$100k$110k$120k$130k$140k$150k$160k$170k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $99,965 |
| 25th | $111,240 |
| 50th (median) | $129,605 |
| 75th | $147,000 |
| 90th | $155,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $120,116 | $111,639 | $134,781 | 17 |
| FY2021 | $116,000 | $101,000 | $124,999 | 20 |
| FY2022 | $115,774 | $111,618 | $125,171 | 20 |
| FY2023 | $118,387 | $113,316 | $133,395 | 12 |
| FY2024 | $125,000 | $120,551 | $149,161 | 13 |
| FY2025 | $125,413 | $107,423 | $147,000 | 15 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 6 |
Cost of living
Boston's median Software Developer (Non-R&D) salary of $129,605 is worth about $119,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Boston = 108.3).
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| The Broad Institute | too few | 5 |
| Northeastern University | too few | 4 |
| Children's Hospital | too few | 3 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 2 |
| Mid-level · Level II | – | 0 |
| Senior · Level III | $140,000 | 11 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior · Level III | $121,306 | $140,000 | 11 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.