Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$208,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$231,111 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$206,991 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $208,000 | $252,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $156,000 | $190,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $272,000 | $330,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000 | $410,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $231,111▲ | $155,556 | +$75,555 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $186,292 | $221,206▲ | -$34,914 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $206,991▲ | $136,547 | +$70,444 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 14,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $44,000 more (median: $208,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($231,111 vs $155,556 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 5%).
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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.