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Federal Government Employee Salary in Boston, MA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Boston's cost of living (index: 162). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Federal Government Employee Salary in Boston — Key Numbers

$157,140
Median Salary
$103,680
25th Percentile
$218,700
75th Percentile
$283,500
90th Percentile
National median (Federal Government Employee)$97,000
vs. National median+62.0%
Boston median household income$89,400
vs. City household income+75.8%

Cost of Living in Boston

Cost of Living Index
162(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$2,750/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio21.0%
Annual rent cost$33,000
Median Home Price$680,000
Home Price / Salary4.3×
20% Down Payment$136,000
Years to save (20% rate)4.3 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Boston

3.3%
Unemployment Rate
4,920,000
Metro Population
32 min
Avg Commute
32.6
Median Age

Boston has a metro population of 4,920,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 3.3% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Boston

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Cost of Living — Boston
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Federal Government Employee Salary in Massachusetts
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Boston

Physician$371,466Chief Executive Officer$340,200Dentist$284,326IT Manager$274,606Marketing Manager$255,344Lawyer$236,131

Federal Government Employee Salary — Other Massachusetts Cities

Worcester, MA$112,520Springfield, MA$95,060

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Federal Government Employee make in Boston, MA?

The estimated median salary for a Federal Government Employee in Boston is $157,140 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $97,000 adjusted by Boston's cost of living index (162). The typical salary range runs from $103,680 (25th percentile) to $218,700 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $283,500.

Is Boston affordable for a Federal Government Employee?

On a $157,140 annual salary, a Federal Government Employee in Boston would spend approximately 21.0% of gross monthly income on median rent ($2,750/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Boston relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $680,000 is 4.3× the annual salary.

How does a Federal Government Employee's salary compare to Boston's overall income?

Boston's median household income is $89,400. A Federal Government Employee earning the city-adjusted median of $157,140 earns 75.8% more than the typical Boston household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Federal Government Employee — NationalFederal Government Employee in MassachusettsAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.