Metro vs National Salary Benchmarks: A Worked Example

Start with an aligned comparison

Software Developers · SOC 15-1252 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · median annual wage (P50), in USD. API values checked October 30, 2026.

Visual scale: USD 0–200,000 per year for all three bars. Exact values appear above. This is a cross-sectional comparison, not a trend.

The metro crosses into New Hampshire; Massachusetts is a separate state geography, not a parent total for that metro. The national median is not an average of these two figures.

Worked example: what the difference means

In this May 2025 snapshot, the occupation’s metro median is higher. That does not establish a 22.1% raise entitlement, a cost-of-living premium or a difference for the same worker. Each estimate describes its own workforce.

The median divides the wage distribution in half. It is not a seniority level, a recommended offer or the average. Employer mix, actual duties and experience may differ across areas.

Before using the number in a negotiation

1. Match duties first. Check whether Software Developers is an appropriate occupation for the role.
2. Choose the work location. For a remote offer, ask which location or pay zone the employer uses. A mailing address is not enough.
3. Keep the measure fixed. Do not compare an annual median with an hourly mean or a 75th percentile.
4. Separate the package. Record base wage, variable compensation and benefits separately. OEWS wages are not total compensation.

Example question: “Which job family and work location did you use to set this base salary range?” Do not present a single national number as proof that the offer is under market.

Read the existing Boston salary benchmark · Check BLS coverage and definitions