How much does a Principal Programmer make in Boston, MA?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Principal Programmer in Boston, MA is $203,679. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $185,551 to $224,280, with most professionals earning between $169,046 and $243,037.

Search Principal Programmer Jobs in Boston, MA

Salary range for a Principal Programmer
$185,551 to $224,280
download asset banner
Facing Salary Structure Challenges? Let Our Expert Guide You
The job market is increasingly challenging. Our whitepaper, Navigating the Challenges of Creating Salary Structures, offers guidance on creating salary structures. Provide your phone number and work email to download the full version.
We will handle your contact details in line with our Privacy Policy. If you prefer not to receive marketing emails from Salary.com, you can opt-out out of marketing communications at any time by clicking unsubscribe.

Principal Programmer

Review the job openings and experience requirements for the Principal Programmer job to confirm that it is the job you are seeking.

See user submitted job responsibilities for Principal Programmer.

Job Openings for Principal Programmer in Boston, MA
Not the job you're looking for? Search more salaries here:

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
How much should you be earning in Principal Programmer in Boston, MA based on your current experience?
Tell us how much experience you have and see an estimate of earnings and view how different experience leavels impact potential pay for Principal Programmer in Boston, MA

RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE

Length of experience is a pay differentiator. Those with greater experience may have an advantage in negotiating salary. For those with less experience, other factors such as education or special skills could impact your pay. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.
Do you know how much should you be paid for a Principal Programmer position in Boston, MA based on your education level?
Tell us about your education and see an estimate of earnings for Principal Programmer in Boston, MA and well to know the impact of education on future careers.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Depending on the job, educational levels may have a significant impact on pay levels. Be informed and understand how things like education and certifications can help to increase potential earnings for the career you are interested in. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
185551
224280
203679

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
200004
250391
222239
What is the average salary for Principal Programmer in 2025?
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Principal Programmer in Boston, MA. The base salary for Principal Programmer ranges from $185,551 to $224,280 with the average base salary of $203,679. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $200,004 to $250,391 with the average total cash compensation of $222,239.
Average Salary Average Salary Range
Base Salary $203,679 $185,551 - $224,280
Bonus $18,560 $14,454 - $26,111
Total Pay $222,239 $200,004 - $250,391
* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.
* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.
CITY, STATE AVERAGE SALARY RANGE COMPARE TO Boston, MA
CITY, STATE Revere, MA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $185,551 - $224,280 COMPARE TO Boston, MA 0%
CITY, STATE Brookline, MA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $185,551 - $224,280 COMPARE TO Boston, MA 0%
CITY, STATE Malden, MA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $185,551 - $224,280 COMPARE TO Boston, MA 0%
CITY, STATE Somerville, MA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $185,551 - $224,280 COMPARE TO Boston, MA 0%
CITY, STATE Quincy, MA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $185,551 - $224,280 COMPARE TO Boston, MA 0%
CITY, STATE Arlington, MA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $185,551 - $224,280 COMPARE TO Boston, MA 0%
See salaries for Principal Programmer in locations close to Boston, MA. Pay for the same job may vary based on the location and on the location and on other factors such as the size of company, the industry, and other local conditions.
Loading results...
JOB TITLE LOCATION MINIMUM SALARY MAXIMUM SALARY
JOB TITLE Principal Statistical Programmer LOCATION Boston, MA MINIMUM SALARY $114,395 MAXIMUM SALARY $137,214
JOB TITLE Principal SAS Programmer LOCATION Boston, MA MINIMUM SALARY $133,256 MAXIMUM SALARY $159,071
JOB TITLE Principal LOCATION Boston, MA MINIMUM SALARY $120,564 MAXIMUM SALARY $153,257
JOB TITLE Programmer LOCATION Boston, MA MINIMUM SALARY $78,171 MAXIMUM SALARY $97,850
JOB TITLE School Principal LOCATION Boston, MA MINIMUM SALARY $119,154 MAXIMUM SALARY $151,748
JOB TITLE Assistant Principal LOCATION Boston, MA MINIMUM SALARY $96,600 MAXIMUM SALARY $129,500
The Principal Programmer job could be listed using titles that are not exactly the same, but actually are for the same or very similar job. Here are some job titles in Boston, MA that might be a good fit for the type of job and salary you are looking for.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

185551
224280

 

About Boston, Massachusetts    Boston has an area of 89.63 square miles (232.1 km2)—48.4 square miles (125.4 km2) (54%) of land and 41.2 square miles (106.7 km2) (46%) of water. The....More

Boston, Massachusetts  area prices were up 2.5% from a year ago

Principal Programmer Salary in popular cities: WorcesterSpringfieldLowell

Recently searched related titles: Software Engineering Team Lead

Jobs with a similar salary range to Principal Programmer : Senior Principal Engineer, Senior Principal Software Engineer