Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$67,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$73,626 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$65,316 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $67,000 | $93,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,590 | $71,610▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,760 | $119,040▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,200 | $148,800▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,626▲ | $57,407 | +$16,219 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,438 | $81,635▲ | -$22,197 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,316▲ | $50,392 | +$14,924 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 63,000 | -39,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $67,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($73,626 vs $57,407 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.