Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$79,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$87,778 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$78,617 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $79,000 | $112,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,830 | $86,240▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,120 | $143,360▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,400 | $179,200▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,778▲ | $69,136 | +$18,642 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,755 | $98,314▲ | -$27,559 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,617▲ | $60,688 | +$17,929 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 33,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $33,000 more (median: $79,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($87,778 vs $69,136 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.