Software Developer in Fall River, MA

The Salary Picture: Where Fall River Stands

As a local, I can tell you straight up: Fall River isn't a major tech hub like Boston or even Providence, but it's a solid, affordable market with a growing tech footprint. If you're a software developer considering a move here, you're likely looking for a balance between cost of living and career opportunity. Let's get into the numbers.

The data paints a clear picture for software developers in the Fall River metro area. The median salary is $127,603/year, which is right in line with the national average of $127,260/year. Locally, you're looking at an hourly rate of $61.35/hour. For a mid-sized city with a cost of living just slightly above the national average (100.9 vs. 100), this is a strong wage. The metro area supports 563 software developer jobs, and the 10-year job growth is 17%, indicating a stable and expanding market rather than a boom-and-bust cycle.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in this region. Keep in mind, these are estimates based on local job postings and regional data, not the median figures provided.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary Range (Fall River Metro)	Key Considerations
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$75,000 - $95,000	Often starts at local hospitals, manufacturers, or smaller IT firms. Heavy focus on foundational skills like Java, Python, or .NET.
Mid-Level (3-6 yrs)	$100,000 - $135,000	This is where you hit the median. Specialization (e.g., cloud, DevOps) becomes crucial for crossing the $120k mark.
Senior (7-10 yrs)	$135,000 - $165,000	Leadership, system design, and mentoring are key. Senior roles at major employers like Southcoast Health can be lucrative.
Expert/Architect (10+ yrs)	$165,000+	These roles are rarer in Fall River but exist, especially in niche industries like maritime logistics or healthcare IT. Many will commute to Providence or Boston for the highest tiers.

How Fall River Compares to Other MA Cities:

• Boston Metro: Median salary is significantly higher (often $150k+), but so is the cost of living (150+ index). The commute from Fall River to Boston is brutal (90+ minutes via I-93), so it's not a practical daily option for most.
• Worcester: Similar to Fall River in cost and salary, but with a larger university and biotech presence (Worcester Polytechnic Institute). Job growth is comparable.
• Springfield/Holyoke: Salaries are slightly lower, and the tech ecosystem is smaller. Fall River has a more diverse industrial base.
• New Bedford: Our neighbor to the east. Salaries and cost of living are nearly identical. The job markets overlap, and many people commute between the two.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the city of Fall River. The "Fall River Metro" area includes neighboring towns like Somerset, Swansea, and Westport. A lot of tech jobs are actually in these satellite towns, especially in manufacturing and logistics companies that have upgraded their IT infrastructure.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's be real about the paycheck. A median salary of $127,603 sounds great, but what does it mean for your monthly budget in Fall River?

Here’s a realistic monthly breakdown for a single filer with no dependents. (Note: Taxes are estimates; use a paycheck calculator for precise figures.)

Item	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Salary	$10,634	$127,603 / 12 months
Federal Tax	~$1,950	Varies by deductions.
State Tax (MA)	~$530	5% flat rate.
FICA (SS & Medicare)	~$813	7.65% of gross.
Net Take-Home Pay	~$7,341	After all taxes.
Average 1BR Rent	$1,398	Citywide average.
Utilities (Electric, Heat, Internet)	$250	Can be higher in older triple-deckers.
Groceries & Household	$500
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Car is essential in Fall River.
Gas & Maintenance	$200
Health Insurance (Employer Plan)	$150	Employer-paid portion varies.
Personal/Discretionary	$3,343	Savings, entertainment, travel.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, absolutely. The median home price in Fall River is around $385,000 (as of late 2023). With a 20% down payment ($77,000), a mortgage would be roughly $2,200/month (including taxes & insurance). Given your net take-home of ~$7,341, a $2,200 mortgage payment is about 30% of your net income, which is considered very affordable. This is a major advantage over cities like Boston, where owning is a distant dream for many at this income level.

Insider Tip: The North End and Flint neighborhoods have older, more affordable homes (often needing work), while areas like the Highlands or near the Country Club have pricier, renovated Victorians. If you're handy, a fixer-upper in a solid neighborhood is a fantastic investment.

The Jobs Are: Fall River's Major Employers

You're not going to find Google or Amazon here. Fall River's tech scene is built around legacy industries that have modernized: healthcare, manufacturing, maritime logistics, and education. Here’s where the jobs are.

1. Southcoast Health System: The largest employer in the region. They run Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River and have a massive IT department for their Epic EHR system, network infrastructure, and cybersecurity. They regularly hire for software analysts, developers (especially for internal applications), and IT project managers. Hiring trend: Steady, with a push towards telehealth and patient data security.

2. Spartan: A global leader in marine and aerospace fasteners, headquartered right in Fall River. Their IT team supports complex manufacturing ERP systems (like SAP), supply chain software, and e-commerce platforms. They look for developers with experience in enterprise software and industrial IoT. Hiring trend: Growth-oriented, supporting their expansion into high-tech sectors.

3. Bristol Community College & UMass Dartmouth: Both have significant local footprints. They need developers for their online learning platforms, student information systems, and research support. These roles often offer great work-life balance and benefits. Hiring trend: Stable, with a focus on improving digital learning tools.

4. Borden & Remington: A 150-year-old wholesale distributor that's embraced tech. They run a sophisticated e-commerce platform and need developers to maintain and improve their internal logistics and sales software. Hiring trend: Actively modernizing, so they're open to developers who can work with both legacy and new systems.

5. Fall River Municipal Government: The city's IT department manages everything from the police department's records system to the public works department's software. Jobs here are less common but offer incredible stability and pension benefits. Hiring trend: Slow but steady, focused on modernizing legacy systems and improving citizen services.

6. Remote-First Companies (Local Presence): Many Fall River developers work for companies based in Boston, Providence, or New York but are fully remote. The cost of living here makes a Boston salary go far. Look for companies that have a "remote-first" culture but encourage occasional meetups in Providence or Boston.

Insider Tip: The best job opportunities often aren't advertised. Join the South Coast New England Tech Meetup group on LinkedIn. Local IT managers post openings there before they hit Indeed. Also, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative lists regional tech jobs.

Getting Licensed in MA

For software developers, "licensing" isn't about a state certificate. Massachusetts does not require a specific license to write code or call yourself a software developer. However, there are critical certifications and registrations to be aware of, especially if you're contracting or working in regulated industries.

• Business Registration: If you plan to freelance as a sole proprietor or form an LLC, you must register with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. The filing fee for an LLC is $500. You'll also need a Sales Tax Permit if you sell tangible goods (rare for pure software devs).
• Proficiency Certifications: While not legally required, certain certifications can give you a significant edge locally:
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect: In high demand due to the cloud migration of local manufacturing and healthcare.
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Critical for healthcare (Southcoast) and municipal IT roles.
  • Epic Certification: A golden ticket for developers interested in the healthcare sector. Southcoast Health uses Epic, and certified developers are highly sought after. Note: Epic training is typically provided and sponsored by the employer.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Day 1: Update your LinkedIn and resume. Highlight any experience with healthcare IT, manufacturing systems, or logistics software.
• Week 1: Apply to roles at the major employers listed above. For remote roles, start your search on platforms like LinkedIn and We Work Remotely.
• Month 1: If you're interested in Epic certification, start researching the process. Expect to need an employer's sponsorship.
• As Needed (For Freelancers): Register your business with the MA Secretary of State. Consult with a local accountant for tax setup.

Insider Tip: The Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce hosts events where you can meet IT Directors from major local employers. It's a more effective networking tool than cold applications for mid-level roles.

Best Neighborhoods for Software Developers

Choosing where to live in Fall River impacts your commute, lifestyle, and social life. Here’s a breakdown of top picks for a software developer.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Average 1BR Rent (Est.)	Why It's Good for Developers
The Highlands	Quiet, residential, near the Country Club. 10-15 min drive to most employers.	$1,450 - $1,600	Great for remote workers. Safe, family-friendly, with good parks (Fogarty Park). Walkable to local cafes.
North End / Flint	Historic, dense, working-class. 5-10 min drive to downtown.	$1,100 - $1,350	Most affordable. Older triple-deckers mean more space for a home office. Close to the new waterfront development.
Downtown / South Main	Urban, walkable, near the BCC campus. 5-15 min commute.	$1,250 - $1,700	Best for social life. Young professionals, craft breweries (like Spindle City), and restaurants. Easy to walk or bike to work if you're downtown.
Westport / Somerset (Border)	Suburban, quiet, with larger lots. 15-20 min drive to Fall River core.	$1,500 - $1,800	Ideal for families or those who want a home office with a yard. Great access to I-195 for commuting to Providence or New Bedford.

Insider Tip: If you're a remote worker, the Highlands or Westport offer the best quality of life for your money. If you're working at Southcoast Health (near the North End), living in the North End or Flint can be a quick, 5-minute commute.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Your career trajectory in Fall River will look different than in a major tech hub. The key is specialization and leveraging local industry strengths.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Healthcare IT (Epic, Data Security): This is the premium specialty in Fall River. A developer with Epic certification or deep healthcare compliance knowledge (HIPAA) can command 10-15% above the median.
  • Manufacturing & Supply Chain (ERP, IoT): Expertise in systems like SAP, Oracle, or custom manufacturing software is highly valuable at companies like Spartan. Salaries are at median to slightly above.
  • DevOps & Cloud Engineering: As local companies migrate to the cloud (AWS, Azure), these skills are in high demand. This is your best bet for beating the median salary without leaving the area.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Technical Lead: Move from coding to managing a small team of 2-3 developers. Often found at Southcoast or larger manufacturers.
  2. IT Project Manager: Shift from pure coding to overseeing budgets and timelines. Requires strong communication skills and PMP certification is a plus.
  3. Architect: Design systems for the entire organization. This is a senior role that may require a move to a larger employer or a remote position.
  4. Go Remote, Keep the Salary: A common and lucrative path. Work for a Boston-based company remotely, earning a Boston salary ($140k-$180k+) while paying Fall River's cost of living.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 17% job growth is a strong indicator. You'll see more growth in healthcare IT (aging population), maritime tech (port modernization), and remote work. The local talent pool is small, so skilled developers who are embedded in the community will have excellent job security.

Insider Tip: For long-term growth, consider getting a project management certification (PMP) or an MBA from a local school like UMass Dartmouth. Combining technical skill with business acumen is the fastest way to leadership roles in the Fall River market.

The Verdict: Is Fall River Right for You?

This isn't a city for everyone. It's a pragmatic choice for developers who prioritize affordability, stability, and a lower cost of living over the frenetic pace and high salaries of a major tech hub.

Pros	Cons
Affordable Housing: You can buy a home on a developer's salary.	Limited Tech Scene: Fewer startups and networking events than Boston/Providence.
Strong Median Salary: $127,603 is a great wage for the cost of living.	Commute Burden: If you want to work in Boston or Providence, the commute is long and costly.
Job Stability: 17% growth in established industries (healthcare, manufacturing).	Salaries Cap Out: The highest-paying expert roles are scarce locally.
Work-Life Balance: Less hustle culture, shorter commutes, easy access to nature (Mount Hope Bay).	Car Dependency: Public transit is limited; you will need a car.
Gateway to Two Cities: Providence (40 mins) and Boston (90 mins) are accessible for weekend trips or occasional meetings.	Weather: Winters are cold, grey, and can be snowy. Summers are humid.

Final Recommendation:
Fall River is an excellent choice for mid-career software developers (5+ years experience) and remote workers seeking financial stability and a high quality of life. It's also a smart move for those specializing in healthcare IT or manufacturing systems. If you're a new graduate craving a dynamic startup culture, you might feel isolated. But if you value affordability, job security, and the ability to build equity in a home, Fall River offers a compelling, data-driven case.

FAQs

1. Is Fall River safe for living and working?
Fall River has neighborhoods with higher crime rates, like many post-industrial cities. The Highlands, Westport, and Somerset are considered very safe. As in any city, research specific streets and visit before renting or buying. For work, all major employers are in safe, commercial areas.

2. Can I get by without a car in Fall River?
It's difficult. The public bus system (BAT) exists but is limited for daily commuting. Most tech jobs are not in the walkable downtown core. If you work fully remote and live in Downtown or the North End, you could manage with a bike and occasional ride-shares, but a car is strongly recommended.

3. How do I find a job if I'm moving from another state?
Use LinkedIn aggressively, filtering for "Fall River" and "New Bedford." Connect with IT managers at Southcoast Health, Spartan, and Borden & Remington. Be transparent about your relocation timeline. Many local employers are open to hiring candidates who can start within 30-60 days.

4. What's the tech community like? Is it easy to network?
It's small but active. The South Coast New England Tech Meetup is your best starting point. There are also occasional events at the UMass Dartmouth campus and the Fall River Public Library. For larger networking, you'll need to drive to Providence (very active tech scene) or Boston.

5. How does the cost of living compare to other MA cities?
It's significantly lower than Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester. The Cost of Living Index is 100.9 (vs. Boston's ~150). Groceries, utilities, and especially housing are far more affordable. You get more square footage for your money, which is a huge perk for remote workers needing a home office.

Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow Research, MIT Living Wage Calculator, Massachusetts Secretary of the