College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$66,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$58,929 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$51,918 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $85,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $65,450▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $108,800▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $136,000▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,929▲ | $52,469 | +$6,460 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,148 | $74,613▲ | -$16,465 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,918▲ | $46,057 | +$5,861 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 63,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $19,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($58,929 vs $52,469 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.