College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$61,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$67,778 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$60,704 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $61,000 | $85,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,970 | $65,450▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,080 | $108,800▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,600 | $136,000▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,778▲ | $52,469 | +$15,309 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,634 | $74,613▲ | -$19,979 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,704▲ | $46,057 | +$14,647 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 63,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $61,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($67,778 vs $52,469 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.