Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$248,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$153,086 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$141,452 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $248,000 | $252,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,000 | $190,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $325,000 | $330,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $402,000 | $410,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $153,086 | $155,556▲ | -$2,470 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $229,152▲ | $221,206 | +$7,946 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $141,452▲ | $136,547 | +$4,905 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 14,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $4,000 more (median: $248,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($153,086 vs $155,556 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.