Cartographer Salary in Boston, MA: 2026
Cartographer salary data for Boston, MA, adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The estimated median Cartographer salary in Boston, MA is $123,713 per year ($10,309/month, $59/hr). This modeled estimate scales Salario's national benchmark (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median) by the local cost of living index of 152, which is 52% above the national average.
All four figures are Salario estimates (national benchmark scaled by Boston's cost-of-living index); BLS does not publish a metro median for this title here.
Cartographer Take-Home Pay in Boston
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $123,713 |
| Federal Tax | -$18,425 |
| State Tax (5.0% eff.) | -$6,186 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$9,464 |
| Annual Take-Home | $89,638 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $7,470 |
Living Cost Comparison
Cartographer Requirements
Key Skills
Boston Job Market Overview
Boston, Massachusetts has a population of 675,647 and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. The top industries are Healthcare, Education, Technology. The local job growth rate is 2.0%, and the average commute time is 31minutes. These local figures come from Salario's city dataset; verify current values with BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics and Census QuickFacts.
Related Science Salaries in Boston
Cartographer Salary in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Salary Percentile Breakdown: Cartographer in Boston
Based on Salario's cost-of-living-adjusted salary tiers for Cartographer in Boston, MA, here is an estimated percentile breakdown:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $81,320 | $39/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $102,517 | $49/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $123,713 | $59/hr | Mid-career, 1-3 years |
| 75th | $158,840 | $76/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $203,072 | $98/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles are approximations, not measured local percentiles: P10, P50, P75, and P90 map to Salario's entry, median, senior, and top salary tiers scaled by the local cost-of-living index, and P25 is interpolated halfway between entry and median. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Boston's Healthcare sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Salario's national dataset models approximately 12.0% salary growth for Cartographers over the past 5 years. That national assumption is applied to the Boston estimate below; it is not a measured local trend, and it should be compared with cumulative CPI inflation before treating it as a real-terms gain:
Year-over-year, an average Cartographer can expect a 14.3% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 5 years in Boston. Negotiation, certifications (GISP Certification), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Boston vs National Average
The national median Cartographer salary is $81,390 (BLS OEWS May 2025, Cartographers and Photogrammetrists). In Boston, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $123,713 is 52.0% above the national figure. This reflects Boston's cost of living index of 152 (higher than the national average of 100).
For Cartographers, this means: rent typically consumes 37.5% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered rent-burdened), and a median home in Boston costs about 7.6× annual take-home. Homeownership in Boston on this salary is challenging, most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.
Industry Context: Healthcare in Boston
Boston's economy is anchored by Healthcare, Education, Technology, with 675,647 residents and an unemployment rate of 3.5% in Salario's city dataset. Pay for Cartographers can differ by sector, so compare Healthcare employers with other local employers. The local job growth rate in Salario's city dataset is 2.0%, and Salario's job dataset lists a 6.0% growth outlook for Cartographer roles; check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for the official 2024-2034 projection for the closest matching occupation.
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Cartographer salaries in Boston, MA:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available (the national median is calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 median for Cartographers and Photogrammetrists). For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Boston index of 152 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs stored separately in Salario's city dataset.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), MA 2026 state income tax brackets after the standard deduction (top rate 9.0%), and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine, occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation data (CPI measures price changes, not city-to-city price levels)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Boston QuickFacts, population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, official local unemployment rates to verify the Boston figure above
Last reviewed: 2026. Salario's salary dataset is refreshed periodically, not automatically; check the linked BLS releases for the latest official data. Cartographer salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Healthcare vs others in Boston), specific skill set (GIS, Remote Sensing, QGIS), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cartographer salary in Boston, MA?
How much does a Cartographer take home in Boston after taxes?
Is Boston a good city for Cartographers?
What skills are needed for a Cartographer in Boston?
How does Cartographer salary in Boston compare to the national average?
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay
Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.
Calculate NowExplore More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cartographer salary in Boston, MA?
Salario estimates the median Cartographer salary in Boston, MA at $123,713 per year for 2026. This is a modeled figure: Salario's national Cartographer benchmark scaled by the local cost of living index of 152, not a measured local wage survey. The modeled entry-level estimate is around $81,320, and the senior estimate is $158,840 or more.
How much does a Cartographer take home in Boston after taxes?
A Cartographer earning the median salary of $123,713 in Boston, MA takes home approximately $89,638 per year ($7,470/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 27.5%.
Is Boston a good city for Cartographers?
Boston, MA has a cost of living index of 152 (above national average). Cartographers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.5% and top industries include Healthcare, Education, Technology.
What skills are needed for a Cartographer in Boston?
Key skills for Cartographers include GIS, Remote Sensing, QGIS, ArcGIS, Cartographic Design. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include GISP Certification.
How does Cartographer salary in Boston compare to the national average?
Salario's national median benchmark for Cartographer is $81,390 (calibrated to the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median). In Boston, the cost-of-living-adjusted estimate is $123,713, which is 52.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.