Risk Analyst.
Boston.
$116,000
median salary, 22% above the national average
$88,000 to $153,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
If you are evaluating a Risk Analyst offer in Boston, MA, here is the reality: $88,000 to $153,000, with $116,000 as the midpoint. 22% above the national average. Risk domain specialization and quantitative skill depth drive salary variance. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
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How Boston compares
Boston, MA
$116,000
Cost of living: 22% above average
National Average
$95,000
Boston is $21,000 above
What you should know
The Risk Analyst landscape in Boston is not what most salary sites will tell you. Boston's job market is powered by world class universities, a thriving biotech corridor, and established finance and healthcare sectors. The Kendall Square area is one of the most concentrated biotech hubs globally. Tech salaries in Boston are competitive with West Coast markets, particularly for roles that intersect with life sciences, AI, and robotics. Risk domain specialization and quantitative skill depth drive salary variance. Market risk and credit risk analysts at large banks earn 15 to 25% more than operational risk analysts. Proficiency in Python, R, SAS, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques separates higher-paid analysts from those using primarily spreadsheet-based approaches.
Junior risk analysts start at $62,000 to $78,000. Mid-level risk analysts earn $85,000 to $115,000. Senior risk analysts and team leads reach $115,000 to $150,000. Risk managers earn $140,000 to $190,000, with chief risk officers at large institutions commanding $250,000 to $500,000. In Boston, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 10 to 25% are standard, with banking sector risk analysts earning the highest variable pay. Total compensation at bulge bracket banks can reach $130,000 to $180,000 for mid-level analysts. Some firms offer deferred compensation tied to risk management outcomes. And on the tax side: massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax on most earnings, plus a 4% surtax on income above $1 million. There is no city income tax in Boston, keeping the total burden moderate. When someone quotes you $116,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize specialized credentials or advanced degrees. Boston employers, especially in biotech and finance, place a premium on educational pedigree and certifications. The range for Risk Analysts in Boston runs from $88,000 to $153,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Boston
Negotiating in Boston
Emphasize specialized credentials or advanced degrees. Boston employers, especially in biotech and finance, place a premium on educational pedigree and certifications.