Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$135,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$88,816 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$76,732 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $135,000 | $138,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,000 | $107,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $173,000 | $177,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $210,000 | $214,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,816▲ | $85,185 | +$3,631 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $116,632 | $121,136▲ | -$4,504 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,732▲ | $74,775 | +$1,957 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 9,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $135,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($88,816 vs $85,185 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.