Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$33,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$36,667 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$32,840 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $33,000 | $47,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,410 | $36,190▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,240 | $60,160▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $52,800 | $75,200▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,667▲ | $29,012 | +$7,655 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $29,556 | $41,257▲ | -$11,701 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,840▲ | $25,467 | +$7,373 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 105,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $14,000 more (median: $33,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($36,667 vs $29,012 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% 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.