Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians 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
$212,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$189,286 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$166,767 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $212,000 | $252,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,000 | $190,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $278,000 | $330,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $346,000 | $410,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $189,286▲ | $155,556 | +$33,730 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $186,779 | $221,206▲ | -$34,427 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $166,767▲ | $136,547 | +$30,220 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 14,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $212,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($189,286 vs $155,556 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.