Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$109,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$71,711 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$61,953 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000 | $112,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $86,240▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520 | $143,360▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400 | $179,200▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,711▲ | $69,136 | +$2,575 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,169 | $98,314▲ | -$4,145 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,953▲ | $60,688 | +$1,265 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 33,600 | +2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($71,711 vs $69,136 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.