School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$44,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$48,889 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$43,787 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $62,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $47,740▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $79,360▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $99,200▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 5% | -1.9300000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,889▲ | $38,272 | +$10,617 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,408 | $54,424▲ | -$15,016 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,787▲ | $33,595 | +$10,192 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 105,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $18,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($48,889 vs $38,272 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 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.