Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$252,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$155,556 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$136,547 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $252,000▲ | $248,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $190,000▲ | $186,000 | +$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $330,000▲ | $325,000 | +$5,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $410,000▲ | $402,000 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $155,556▲ | $153,086 | +$2,470 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $221,206 | $229,152▲ | -$7,946 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $136,547 | $141,452▲ | -$4,905 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 9,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $4,000 more (median: $252,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($155,556 vs $153,086 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.