Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$101,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$54,011 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$46,487 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000▲ | $93,000 | +$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770▲ | $71,610 | +$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280▲ | $119,040 | +$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600▲ | $148,800 | +$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,011 | $57,407▲ | -$3,396 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,931▲ | $81,635 | +$5,296 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,487 | $50,392▲ | -$3,905 |
| Total Employment | 102,000 | 63,000 | +39,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $8,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($54,011 vs $57,407 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.