Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$60,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$68,966 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$61,175 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $60,000 | $93,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,200 | $71,610▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,800 | $119,040▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,000 | $148,800▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,966▲ | $57,407 | +$11,559 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,222 | $81,635▲ | -$28,413 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,175▲ | $50,392 | +$10,783 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 63,000 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $33,000 more (median: $60,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($68,966 vs $57,407 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (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.