Accountant pay in Boston, by the numbers
After a simplified 13% national tax estimate that is about US$7,200 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
How Boston compares with United States and MA
San Jose leads at US$121,700, 22% above Boston, while San Antonio sits at US$78,650. The neighbours in the ranking are Washington and Denver.
No other MA metro has observed accountant percentiles here, so Boston is judged against the 21-metro national list instead.
Cost of living and take-home in Boston
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$100,200).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 5th of 21 either way.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (13% effective) and about US$7,200 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 23% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$3,740 remains.
Metros with a cost level like Boston
A accountant moving from Boston to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 5% to US$105,650, with US$360 more left over monthly in our model.
Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$94,360, 6% less than Boston; modeled monthly leftover is US$370 lower.
Chicago (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$82,360, 18% less than Boston; modeled monthly leftover is US$1,150 lower.
Other Boston jobs compared with accountant
Of the 9 roles we track in Boston, Accountant is 9th by median; the highest is Lawyer (US$183,350).
Closest neighbours in the Boston list: Registered Nurse at US$106,180 (+6%).
How Boston ranks at the low and high end
Entry-level accountants fare better here (4th of 21 at the 10th percentile, US$72,450) than senior ones (6th at the 90th, US$161,450).
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$196,890 at the 90th percentile, +22% against Boston.
The accountant pay range in Boston
Pay is spread out: US$72,450 at the 10th percentile to US$161,450 at the 90th (2.2×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.