Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$46,000 vs $47,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$30,263 vs $29,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$26,145 vs $25,467
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $47,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $36,190▲ | -$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $60,160▲ | -$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $75,200▲ | -$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $30,263▲ | $29,012 | +$1,251 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,741 | $41,257▲ | -$1,516 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $26,145▲ | $25,467 | +$678 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 105,000 | +7,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $1,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $47,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($30,263 vs $29,012 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.