Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$97,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$107,778 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$96,529 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $97,000 | $136,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,690 | $104,720▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,160 | $174,080▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,200 | $217,600▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,778▲ | $83,951 | +$23,827 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,876 | $119,381▲ | -$32,505 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,529▲ | $73,692 | +$22,837 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 33,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $39,000 more (median: $97,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($107,778 vs $83,951 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 5%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.