Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$37,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$35,922 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$32,362 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $37,000 | $47,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,490 | $36,190▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,360 | $60,160▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,200 | $75,200▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 5% | -2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,922▲ | $29,012 | +$6,910 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $33,333 | $41,257▲ | -$7,924 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,362▲ | $25,467 | +$6,895 |
| Total Employment | 62,500 | 105,000 | -42,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $37,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($35,922 vs $29,012 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.