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