Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$38,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$36,893 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$32,555 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $47,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $36,190▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $60,160▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $75,200▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,893▲ | $29,012 | +$7,881 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $33,532 | $41,257▲ | -$7,725 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,555▲ | $25,467 | +$7,088 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 105,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $9,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($36,893 vs $29,012 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.