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Boston DataLabs

A city-level platform offering transparent insights into payroll, compensation, and operating budget trends across Boston’s municipal government. 

About Pioneer DataLabs

As part of Pioneer DataLabs, Boston DataLabs complements the national and state labs to offer a unified view of public performance at the city level.

Developed by Pioneer Institute and the Boston Policy Institute, Boston DataLabs provides interactive access to city payroll data dating back to 2011 and budget and revenue data beginning in 2017. Users can explore compensation trends, departmental spending, programmatic investments, and shifts across mayoral administrations. 

Key Features include:  

  • Payroll Dashboard with detailed compensation information from 2011 onward 
  • Tools to identify top earners and track annual pay trends 
  • Filters by department, role, and pay category 
  • Budget Dashboard covering operating allocations, revenue sources, and initiatives 
  • Intuitive design for residents, journalists, researchers, and civic leaders 

Boston DataLabs promotes transparency in city government by making detailed financial information publicly accessible. The platform helps residents and decision-makers evaluate fiscal priorities, understand long-term trends, and ensure accountability for the use of public funds. 

Boston Budget Dashboard

Boston Payroll Dashboard

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