Web Developer in Quincy, MA

The Salary Picture: Where Quincy Stands

Let's cut to the chase: the numbers for Web Developers in Quincy are solid, especially when you factor in the broader Boston metro economy. The median salary for a Web Developer here is $95,977/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.14/hour. Compared to the national average of $92,750/year, Quincy offers a noticeable premium—about $3,227 more annually. That may not sound like a fortune, but in a high-cost area, every bit helps. The local market is competitive but growing, with 203 jobs currently listed in the metro area and a 10-year job growth projection of 16%. This growth is fueled by Quincy’s proximity to Boston and its own emerging tech scene, anchored by healthcare, finance, and education.

To give you a clearer picture of how salaries scale with experience, here’s a breakdown:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Often begins at smaller agencies or startups. Strong portfolio is key.
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$90,000 - $110,000	Aligns closely with the median. Common range for full-stack roles.
Senior-Level (6-9 years)	$110,000 - $130,000	Often involves leadership or specialized tech stacks.
Expert/Lead (10+ years)	$130,000 - $160,000+	Typically at larger corporations or as a technical architect.

Compared to other Massachusetts cities, Quincy holds a unique position. It’s not as expensive as Cambridge (median salary around $105,000) or Boston proper, but it’s pricier than Worcester ($85,000 median). The trade-off is accessibility: Quincy offers a more residential feel with direct commuter rail access to downtown Boston. For a Web Developer who wants city-level opportunities without the city-level rent, it’s a strategic sweet spot.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s talk real numbers. If you’re earning the median salary of $95,977/year, your monthly take-home after taxes (assuming single filer, standard deduction, MA state tax) is roughly $5,800 - $6,000/month. Massachusetts has a flat state income tax rate of 5%, and federal taxes will take about 15-20% of your gross, depending on deductions. This is a ballpark—use a paycheck calculator for precision.

Now, factor in rent. The average 1-bedroom apartment in Quincy costs $2,377/month. That’s about 40% of your take-home pay if you’re at the median salary. While many financial advisors suggest keeping housing under 30%, in Greater Boston, 30-40% is common. Here’s a monthly budget breakdown for a Web Developer earning $95,977/year:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Percentage of Take-Home
Rent (1BR)	$2,377	~40%
Utilities (electric, gas, internet)	$150	~2.5%
Groceries	$400	~6.5%
Transportation (MBTA/Car)	$200	~3.5%
Health Insurance (if not employer-sponsored)	$300	~5%
Student Loans/Debt	$300	~5%
Savings/Investing	$1,000	~17%
Discretionary (dining, entertainment)	$700	~12%
Total	$5,427	~90%

This leaves about $373/month as a buffer. It’s tight but manageable if you’re frugal. Can you afford to buy a home? Probably not right away. The median home price in Quincy is around $550,000. With a 10% down payment ($55,000), your monthly mortgage (at 6.5% interest) would be roughly $3,100—over 50% of your take-home. Most lenders won’t approve that. You’d need a higher salary (closer to $120,000+) or a partner’s income to comfortably buy. Insider tip: Many locals rent for 3-5 years to save aggressively before buying in the suburbs like Weymouth or Braintree, where prices dip below $500,000.

Where the Jobs Are: Quincy's Major Employers

Quincy’s job market is a blend of healthcare, finance, and tech. The city is home to several major employers who actively hire Web Developers for their digital platforms, internal tools, and customer-facing applications. Here’s a rundown of key players and hiring trends:

1. Boston Medical Center (BMC) - Quincy Campus
   BMC’s satellite location in Quincy (near the Forbes Hill area) focuses on outpatient care. They hire Web Developers for their patient portals, telehealth platforms, and internal databases. Hiring is steady, with a preference for developers who understand HIPAA compliance. Trends show a move toward mobile-first design.

2. State Street Corporation
   While headquartered in Boston, State Street has a significant office in Quincy’s Wollaston area. They need Web Developers for their financial services applications, client dashboards, and data visualization tools. Python/JavaScript stacks are common. Hiring is competitive—often requiring a CS degree or equivalent experience.

3. Quincy College
   This local community college hires Web Developers to maintain their website, student portal, and online learning platforms. It’s a great entry point for mid-level developers. They often post jobs on local boards like MassHire, with a focus on CMS expertise (WordPress, Drupal).

4. Manet Community Health Center
   Based in Quincy, Manet is a growing FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) that needs developers for their electronic health records (EHR) integration and public-facing sites. They value developers with experience in accessible design (WCAG 2.1). Hiring trends indicate a 20% increase in digital health roles post-pandemic.

5. National Grid
   With operations in Quincy, National Grid hires Web Developers for their customer service portals, outage maps, and internal reporting tools. They often seek full-stack developers familiar with .NET or Java for legacy system modernization.

6. Tech Startups in the Quincy Innovation Hub
   Quincy’s Innovation Hub (near Hancock Street) hosts a cluster of small tech startups. Companies like Quincy Data (a local SaaS firm) and HealthTech Quincy (a medtech incubator) hire for agile development roles. These are great for mid-to-senior developers looking for rapid growth—though salaries may start lower, equity can offset that.

Hiring trends across these employers show a strong preference for full-stack capabilities (React, Node.js, Python) and cloud experience (AWS, Azure). Remote work is common post-COVID, but hybrid models (2-3 days in office) are the norm in Quincy. Networking with local groups like Boston Web Developers (which meets monthly in Quincy) can unlock unadvertised roles.

Getting Licensed in MA

For Web Developers, formal licensing isn’t required—your skills and portfolio are what matter. However, if you’re pursuing roles in regulated industries like healthcare or finance, certain certifications can edge out the competition. Here’s a practical guide:

• State Requirements: No state-specific license for web development. But if you’re freelancing, you’ll need a Business Certificate from the Quincy City Clerk’s Office ($50 filing fee). For corporate roles, no license is needed.
• Certifications to Consider:
  • AWS Certified Developer or Google Cloud Associate (cost: $150-$200). These are valued by employers like National Grid and State Street.
  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) if you’re moving into agile teams (cost: ~$1,000 for the course/exam).
  • WCAG Certification for accessibility roles (cost: $300-$500 via online courses).
• Timeline to Get Started: If you’re new to certifications, budget 2-3 months to study and pass one exam. For a Business Certificate, it’s a 1-day process at Quincy City Hall (1500 Hancock Street). No ongoing fees.
• Insider Tip: Many Quincy employers reimburse certification costs. During interviews, ask if they have a professional development budget. The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure (dol.ma.gov) is the go-to resource for regulations, but for web dev, it’s minimal.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Quincy is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own vibe and commute. As a Web Developer, you’ll want a balance of affordability, walkability, and access to tech hubs (Boston/Cambridge). Here are top picks:

1. Wollaston
   Rent (1BR): $2,200/month
   Commute: 5-minute walk to Wollaston T Station (Red Line to Boston, 20 mins).
   Lifestyle: Residential, family-friendly near Wollaston Beach. Great for developers who want a quiet home base. Many single-family homes for future buying.
   Insider Tip: The Wollaston Shopping Center has a coffee shop with reliable Wi-Fi—perfect for remote work days.

2. Hancock Street / Downtown Quincy
   Rent (1BR): $2,500/month
   Commute: Quincy Center T Station (Red Line, 15 mins to Boston).
   Lifestyle: Urban, walkable with restaurants, bars, and shops. Ideal for younger developers who want nightlife and networking. Close to the Innovation Hub.
   Drawback: Noisier, and parking is tough.

3. Marina Bay
   Rent (1BR): $2,600/month
   Commute: 10-minute drive to Quincy Center T Station; bus routes available.
   Lifestyle: Waterfront living with views of Boston Harbor. Upscale, with a growing community of remote tech workers.
   Note: Slightly pricier, but the quality of life is high. Good for senior developers seeking a serene environment.

4. North Quincy
   Rent (1BR): $2,100/month
   Commute: North Quincy T Station (Red Line, 18 mins to Boston).
   Lifestyle: Mixed demographic, with great Asian cuisine (try the Quincy Center restaurants). Affordable and diverse, popular with entry-level developers.
   Insider Tip: The area near Eastern Point has good running paths—helpful for work-life balance.

5. South Quincy (West of the T Station)
   Rent (1BR): $2,000/month
   Commute: 5-minute drive to Quincy Center T Station.
   Lifestyle: Quiet, suburban feel with older homes. Ideal for developers with families or those who prefer a low-key lifestyle. Close to Wollaston Beach for weekend recreation.
   Trade-off: Less walkable; you’ll need a car or bike.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Web Development in Quincy isn’t dead-end; it’s a launchpad. With the 10-year job growth of 16%, the field is expanding, especially in niche areas. Here’s how to maximize your trajectory:

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Frontend Focus: Adding React or Vue.js skills can bump salaries 10-15% (mid-level to senior).
  • Backend/Full-Stack: Python (Django/Flask) or Node.js expertise is highly sought after by State Street and startups, often adding a $10k-$15k premium.
  • DevOps/Cloud: AWS certifications can lead to $120k+ roles at National Grid or BMC. The demand is hot—Quincy’s proximity to Boston means cloud migration projects are constant.

• Advancement Paths:

  • Individual Contributor: Move from mid-level to senior (3-5 years), then to lead (5-8 years).
  • Management: Transition to tech lead or engineering manager (common at larger firms).
  • Entrepreneurship: Quincy’s Innovation Hub is a cheap spot to launch a startup; many devs here side-hustle before going full-time.

• 10-Year Outlook: With Boston’s tech scene booming, Quincy will benefit from spillover. Expect more remote roles but also hybrid jobs in healthcare tech (BMC, Manet) and fintech (State Street). By 2033, median salaries could rise to $110,000-$120,000 due to inflation and demand. However, competition will increase—continuous learning is non-negotiable. Attend local meetups or online courses (Udacity, Coursera) to stay ahead.

The Verdict: Is Quincy Right for You?

Quincy offers a pragmatic balance for Web Developers: good pay, manageable costs (relative to Boston), and steady job growth. It’s not a tech hub like Cambridge, but it’s a strategic base with easy access to bigger opportunities.

Pros	Cons
Salary of $95,977 is above national average, with room to grow.	High cost of living; $2,377 rent eats into take-home pay.
Job market is stable with 203 jobs and 16% growth.	Limited local nightlife; more suburban than urban.
Commute to Boston is easy via Red Line (15-20 mins).	Home buying is challenging at median salary.
Diverse neighborhoods offer lifestyle flexibility.	Fewer entry-level roles compared to Boston; often need 2+ years experience.
Employer variety from healthcare to finance.	Winters are harsh; consider seasonal affective disorder.

Final Recommendation: Quincy is ideal for mid-career Web Developers (3-7 years experience) who want Boston-level salaries without the Boston-level chaos. If you’re entry-level, start in Boston for more opportunities, then move to Quincy for stability. For senior devs, it’s a solid spot to settle down and climb the ladder. If you value space, community, and a strategic commute, Quincy delivers. Otherwise, look to Cambridge for a buzzier scene.

FAQs

1. Do I need a degree to get a Web Developer job in Quincy?
No, many employers (like startups and smaller agencies) prioritize portfolio and skills over formal education. However, State Street and BMC often require a bachelor’s in Computer Science or equivalent experience. Bootcamp grads can succeed—focus on building a strong GitHub profile.

2. What’s the commute like to Boston’s tech jobs?
Top-notch. The Red Line from Quincy Center or Wollaston gets you to South Station in 15-20 minutes. From there, it’s a short walk or subway to Cambridge (Kendall Square) or downtown. Many jobs are hybrid, so you might only commute 2-3 days a week.

3. Is remote work common for Quincy-based developers?
Yes, especially post-2020. About 60% of local Web Developer roles offer remote or hybrid options. Employers like Manet and National Grid have embraced it, but some startups prefer in-office collaboration. Check job descriptions—hybrid is the norm.

4. How does Quincy’s cost of living compare to other MA cities?
Quincy’s Cost of Living Index is 111.6 (US avg=100), meaning it’s 11.6% more expensive than the national average but cheaper than Boston (130) or Cambridge (140). For a Web Developer, it’s a good value—your $95,977 salary goes further here than in the city core.

5. What’s the best way to network as a developer in Quincy?
Join Boston Web Developers (meets monthly at Quincy Brewing Company) or Quincy Innovation Hub events. LinkedIn is key—search for “Quincy tech” and connect with employees at BMC or State Street. Attend free meetups at the Thomas Crane Public Library for casual networking.