Physical Therapist Aide Salary in Boston, MA
Physical Therapist Aides in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $37,440 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,611 take-home, or $2,551 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist aide salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,313
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,321
- Medicare (1.45%)$543
- Massachusetts income tax$1,652
- Take-home pay$30,611
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Physical Therapist Aide pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,480 | $17.06 | $29,134 | $2,428 |
| 25th percentile | $37,170 | $17.87 | $30,408 | $2,534 |
| Median (50th) | $37,440 | $18.00 | $30,611 | $2,551 |
| 75th percentile | $41,520 | $19.96 | $33,685 | $2,807 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,950 | $24.01 | $40,037 | $3,336 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,440 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist aide's $30,611 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,274 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physical Therapist Aide jobs are about as common in Boston, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for physical therapist aides, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #7 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $44,440 | $36,543 | $31,608 |
| 2 | Riverside, CA | $38,440 | $32,040 | $30,101 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $35,570 | $30,760 | $29,838 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $33,060 | $28,744 | $29,143 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $36,730 | $30,019 | $28,977 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $35,010 | $29,644 | $28,693 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $37,440 | $30,611 | $28,274 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $37,850 | $31,597 | $28,240 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make in Boston, MA?
The median physical therapist aide salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $37,440 a year, or about $18.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,170 and $41,520.
What is a physical therapist aide’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $37,440 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $30,611 a year ($2,551 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,652 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a physical therapist aide?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $35,240. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,274 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #7 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist aide afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 89% of a median physical therapist aide’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $80,430
- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $75,300
- Massage Therapist — $75,160
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $60,840
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $60,760
- Dental Assistant — $58,160
- Medical Assistant — $50,740
- Phlebotomist — $50,420
- Psychiatric Aide — $48,100
- Nursing Assistant — $47,590
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,790
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $40,910