Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Boston, MA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Boston, MA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$93,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$57,407 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$50,392 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $93,000 | $101,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,610 | $77,770▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,040 | $129,280▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,800 | $161,600▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,407▲ | $54,011 | +$3,396 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,635 | $86,931▲ | -$5,296 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,392▲ | $46,487 | +$3,905 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 102,000 | -39,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $8,000 more (median: $93,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($57,407 vs $54,011 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.