Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$41,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$45,556 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$40,801 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $41,000 | $57,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,570 | $43,890▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,480 | $72,960▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $65,600 | $91,200▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,556▲ | $35,185 | +$10,371 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,721 | $50,035▲ | -$13,314 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,801▲ | $30,886 | +$9,915 |
| 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 $16,000 more (median: $41,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($45,556 vs $35,185 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.