Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$41,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$32,031 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$28,295 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $41,000 | $47,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,570 | $36,190▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,480 | $60,160▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $65,600 | $75,200▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,031▲ | $29,012 | +$3,019 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,217 | $41,257▲ | -$5,040 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,295▲ | $25,467 | +$2,828 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 105,000 | -35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $6,000 more (median: $41,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($32,031 vs $29,012 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.