Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Columbus, OH vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Columbus, OH and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$34,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$37,363 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$33,146 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $34,000 | $50,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,180 | $38,500▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,520 | $64,000▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $54,400 | $80,000▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 187 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 6.85% | -2.8599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $37,363▲ | $26,738 | +$10,625 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,163 | $43,035▲ | -$12,872 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,146▲ | $23,013 | +$10,133 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 170,000 | -130,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $16,000 more (median: $34,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 187), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($37,363 vs $26,738 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 6.85%).
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.