Average Project Manager Salary in Boston, MA

The average Project Manager in Boston, MA earns $116,207 per year. See how this compares to the national average and what it means for your budget.

Average Salary
$116207
vs. National
22.3% above
Real Pay (COL-adjusted)
$107335

“Real pay” adjusts the average for Boston’s cost of living (Regional Price Parity 108.266, U.S. average = 100) — what this salary is worth in national-average dollars.

What’s this salary worth in another city?

What you earn (or want to compare)

Take-home pay for a Project Manager in Boston

Estimated pay after federal, FICA, and MA state taxes (2026). Prefilled with the local average — adjust for your situation.

Estimate only — not tax advice. Tax year 2026, federal + FICA + state (single or married filing jointly). Excludes local/city income taxes (e.g., NYC, Philadelphia) and individual credits. See our methodology.

Boston at a glance

Population663972
Median household income$94755
Median home value$710400
Median rent$2093/mo
Cost of living (RPP, U.S.=100)108.266
Metro unemployment4%
Bachelor’s degree or higher28.5%
Poverty rate15.9%

In Boston, MA, Project Managers earn a median of $116,207 a year - about 22% above the U.S. median of $95,000. Among the 50 metros tracked here for this role, that ranks #1.

What that pay is worth in Boston

Local prices run 108 on the BEA cost-of-living index (U.S. = 100), so a $116,207 salary buys less than it looks - about $107,335 in national-average buying power.

Can Project Managers afford a home in Boston?

A typical Boston home runs about $710,400 - 6.1 times the average Project Manager salary, a stretch against the classic 3x rule of thumb. Median rent near $2,093/mo takes roughly 22% of gross pay - within the 30% comfort line.

The Project Manager pay ladder in Boston

Entry-level (10th percentile) Project Managers earn about $73,460; the top 10% reach $146,129 - a $72,669 spread, wide for this field. Most of that gap comes down to experience, employer, and how hard you negotiate.

Compare Boston with other cities

See the full Project Manager salary by city ranking to weigh Boston against the other metros on both pay and cost-adjusted value, or use the cost-of-living calculator to compare any two cities directly.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Project Managers make in Boston?

The average Project Manager in Boston, MA earns about $116,207 per year, 22.3% above the national average of $95,000.

What is the take-home pay for Project Managers in Boston after taxes?

After federal and MA taxes, this $116,207 salary is worth about $84,771 a year - roughly $7,064 a month in take-home pay, an effective tax rate near 27%.

What do the highest-paid Project Managers earn in Boston?

The top 10% of Project Managers in Boston earn about $146,129 a year, versus about $73,460 for the bottom 10%.

Can Project Managers afford a home in Boston?

A typical Boston home runs about $710,400 - roughly 6.1x this salary, a stretch by the 3x rule, so budgeting discipline matters.

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