Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$93,000 vs $81,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$57,407 vs $63,281
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$50,392 vs $55,899
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $93,000▲ | $81,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,610▲ | $62,370 | +$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,040▲ | $103,680 | +$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,800▲ | $129,600 | +$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,407 | $63,281▲ | -$5,874 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,635▲ | $71,551 | +$10,084 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,392 | $55,899▲ | -$5,507 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 42,000 | +21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $93,000 vs $81,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($57,407 vs $63,281 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.