Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$53,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$62,353 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$57,614 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $93,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $71,610▲ | -$30,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $119,040▲ | -$51,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $148,800▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,353▲ | $57,407 | +$4,946 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $81,635▲ | -$32,663 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,614▲ | $50,392 | +$7,222 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 63,000 | -54,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($62,353 vs $57,407 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.