Pharmacist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Pharmacist Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Pharmacists in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$62,428 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$52,318 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $112,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,160 | $86,240▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,240 | $143,360▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $172,800 | $179,200▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,428 | $69,136▲ | -$6,708 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,511 | $98,314▲ | -$7,803 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,318 | $60,688▲ | -$8,370 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 33,600 | +4,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $4,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($62,428 vs $69,136 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.