Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$72,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$64,286 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$56,638 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $93,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,440 | $71,610▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,160 | $119,040▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,200 | $148,800▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,286▲ | $57,407 | +$6,879 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $63,434 | $81,635▲ | -$18,201 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,638▲ | $50,392 | +$6,246 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 63,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $21,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($64,286 vs $57,407 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.