Pharmacist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Pharmacist Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Pharmacists in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$83,333 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$72,773 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $112,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $86,240▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $143,360▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $179,200▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,333▲ | $69,136 | +$14,197 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,595 | $98,314▲ | -$19,719 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,773▲ | $60,688 | +$12,085 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 33,600 | -9,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($83,333 vs $69,136 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
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.