Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$134,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$88,158 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$76,163 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $134,000 | $136,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,180 | $104,720▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $171,520 | $174,080▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $214,400 | $217,600▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,158▲ | $83,951 | +$4,207 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,768 | $119,381▲ | -$3,613 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,163▲ | $73,692 | +$2,471 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 33,600 | +2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $2,000 more (median: $134,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($88,158 vs $83,951 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.