Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$77,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$71,963 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$63,202 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $93,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $71,610▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $119,040▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $148,800▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,963▲ | $57,407 | +$14,556 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,626 | $81,635▲ | -$14,009 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,202▲ | $50,392 | +$12,810 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 63,000 | -10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($71,963 vs $57,407 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% 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.