Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$52,023 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$43,599 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $93,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $71,610▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $119,040▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $148,800▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,023 | $57,407▲ | -$5,384 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,426 | $81,635▲ | -$6,209 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,599 | $50,392▲ | -$6,793 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 63,000 | +9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($52,023 vs $57,407 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.