Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$38,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$35,514 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$31,191 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $47,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $36,190▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $60,160▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $75,200▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,514▲ | $29,012 | +$6,502 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $33,374 | $41,257▲ | -$7,883 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,191▲ | $25,467 | +$5,724 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 105,000 | -17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $9,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($35,514 vs $29,012 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% 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.