Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$167,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$109,868 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$94,920 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $167,000 | $171,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $128,590 | $131,670▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $213,760 | $218,880▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $267,200 | $273,600▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,868▲ | $105,556 | +$4,312 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $144,278 | $150,104▲ | -$5,826 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,920▲ | $92,657 | +$2,263 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 33,600 | +2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $4,000 more (median: $167,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($109,868 vs $105,556 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.