Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$50,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$55,556 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$49,758 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $70,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $53,900▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $89,600▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $112,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $55,556▲ | $43,210 | +$12,346 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,782 | $61,446▲ | -$16,664 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,758▲ | $37,930 | +$11,828 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 105,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($55,556 vs $43,210 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.