Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$242,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$159,211 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$137,548 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $242,000 | $252,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $182,000 | $190,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $317,000 | $330,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $394,000 | $410,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $159,211▲ | $155,556 | +$3,655 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $209,073 | $221,206▲ | -$12,133 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $137,548▲ | $136,547 | +$1,001 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 14,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $242,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($159,211 vs $155,556 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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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.