Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$45,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$26,012 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$21,799 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $47,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $36,190▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $60,160▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $75,200▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $26,012 | $29,012▲ | -$3,000 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $37,713 | $41,257▲ | -$3,544 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $21,799 | $25,467▲ | -$3,668 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 105,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $2,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($26,012 vs $29,012 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.