Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$84,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$64,615 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$54,481 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $93,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $71,610▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $119,040▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $148,800▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,615▲ | $57,407 | +$7,208 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,825 | $81,635▲ | -$10,810 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,481▲ | $50,392 | +$4,089 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 63,000 | -33,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $9,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($64,615 vs $57,407 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.