Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Boston, MA
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $170,510 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $119,504 take-home, or $9,959 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer and information research scientist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$29,656
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,572
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,472
- Massachusetts income tax$8,306
- Take-home pay$119,504
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Computer and Information Research Scientist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,160 | $37.10 | $59,474 | $4,956 |
| 25th percentile | $119,920 | $57.65 | $87,418 | $7,285 |
| Median (50th) | $170,510 | $81.98 | $119,504 | $9,959 |
| 75th percentile | $216,180 | $103.93 | $150,255 | $12,521 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $249,910+ | $120.15 | $170,847 | $14,237 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $170,510 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer and information research scientist's $119,504 take-home pay has the buying power of $110,380 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 2.5× the national concentration of computer and information research scientist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer and information research scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #4 of 17 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $211,270 | $157,227 | $141,477 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $218,420 | $143,527 | $129,979 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $206,220 | $135,393 | $128,431 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $170,510 | $119,504 | $110,380 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $156,750 | $111,134 | $106,361 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $170,890 | $119,027 | $105,743 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $161,090 | $110,647 | $101,619 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $171,440 | $114,502 | $99,039 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 17 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer and information research scientist make in Boston, MA?
The median computer and information research scientist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $170,510 a year, or about $81.98 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $119,920 and $216,180.
What is a computer and information research scientist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $170,510 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $119,504 a year ($9,959 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,306 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a computer and information research scientist?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $140,300. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $110,380 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #4 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer and information research scientist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median computer and information research scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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