Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$30,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$34,483 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$30,587 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $30,000 | $47,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $23,100 | $36,190▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,400 | $60,160▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $75,200▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,483▲ | $29,012 | +$5,471 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $26,611 | $41,257▲ | -$14,646 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,587▲ | $25,467 | +$5,120 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 105,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $17,000 more (median: $30,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($34,483 vs $29,012 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (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.