Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$36,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$32,143 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$28,319 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $47,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $36,190▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $60,160▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $75,200▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,143▲ | $29,012 | +$3,131 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $31,717 | $41,257▲ | -$9,540 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,319▲ | $25,467 | +$2,852 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 105,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $11,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($32,143 vs $29,012 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.