Boston Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your Boston take-home pay after federal and Massachusetts 5% flat income tax.
Assumes W-2 employee · standard deduction · no dependents or special credits.
Massachusetts has a flat 5% state income tax — straightforward and lower than New York. Boston has no local income tax, saving residents compared to NYC's 3.876% local surcharge.
Boston Take-Home Pay by Salary (2026)
Estimates for a single filer with standard deductions, paid bi-weekly.
| Annual Salary | Gross / Paycheck | Total Tax % | Net / Paycheck | Annual Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $1,923 | ~20.6% | ~$1,527 | ~$39,713 |
| $60,000 | $2,308 | ~21.3% | ~$1,817 | ~$47,248 |
| $75,000 | $2,885 | ~23.5% | ~$2,208 | ~$57,398 |
| $100,000 | $3,846 | ~26.3% | ~$2,836 | ~$73,736 |
| $125,000 | $4,808 | ~28% | ~$3,459 | ~$89,940 |
| $150,000 | $5,769 | ~29.5% | ~$4,068 | ~$105,778 |
| $200,000 | $7,692 | ~30.5% | ~$5,344 | ~$138,935 |
See full profession salary breakdowns → Boston Salary Guide or use the calculator above for your exact figure.
How Boston Paychecks Are Taxed
Here's exactly what comes out of your Boston paycheck.
🇺🇸 Federal Income Tax
A progressive tax paid to the U.S. government. 2026 rates range from 10% to 37%. The standard deduction ($15,000 single / $30,000 married) reduces your taxable income before these rates apply.
🏛️ FICA (Social Security + Medicare)
Social Security is withheld at 6.2% on wages up to $176,100. Medicare is 1.45% on all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages over $200,000. These are flat rates that don't vary by filing status.
🦞 Massachusetts State Income Tax (Flat 5%)
Massachusetts uses a flat 5% income tax rate on most income. There is no state standard deduction for MA income tax. The calculation is simple: multiply your gross salary by 5% to estimate your Massachusetts state tax. Note: MA enacted a 4% surtax on income above $1 million in 2023.
🏙️ How Boston Compares to NYC
Boston has no local income tax and a lower state rate than New York. NYC workers pay NY State (up to 10.9%) + NYC local (3.876%). Boston workers pay MA flat 5% only. At $100,000, Boston workers typically keep $3,000–$5,500 more per year than comparable NYC workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about your Boston paycheck.
Massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax rate that applies uniformly to wages and salaries. Unlike most states, MA does not have progressive brackets for ordinary income. There is also a 4% surtax on income exceeding $1 million (effective 2023). There is no state standard deduction.
No — Boston has no local personal income tax. Workers pay federal income tax, Massachusetts state income tax (5% flat), and FICA. There is no city-level surcharge on Boston wages, unlike New York City's 3.876% local tax.
Boston workers typically take home $3,000–$5,500 more per year than equivalent NYC workers at $100,000 salary. This is because NYC adds both NY State taxes (higher than MA at most brackets) and a 3.876% local income tax that Boston does not have.
For a single filer earning $100,000 in Boston, roughly 25–26% is withheld — approximately 18% federal, 5% Massachusetts state, and 7.65% FICA. Annual take-home is approximately $74,000–$75,000. Use the calculator above for your exact figure.
Very accurate for most W-2 employees. The Massachusetts flat tax makes calculations especially straightforward. It uses 2026 federal brackets and the current 5% MA flat rate. It does not account for the MA $1M+ surtax, dependents, itemized deductions, or special credits. For complex situations, consult a CPA.
Compare Cities
How does Boston compare to NYC?
See exactly how much more (or less) you'd take home working in Boston vs. New York City at any salary level.
NYC vs Boston Comparison →