Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$87,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$57,237 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$47,968 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $93,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $71,610▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $119,040▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $148,800▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,237 | $57,407▲ | -$170 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,912 | $81,635▲ | -$8,723 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,968 | $50,392▲ | -$2,424 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 63,000 | -27,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $6,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($57,237 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.