College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$83,000 vs $96,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$47,977 vs $51,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$40,208 vs $43,255
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000 | $96,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910 | $73,920▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240 | $122,880▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800 | $153,600▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,977 | $51,613▲ | -$3,636 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,560 | $80,455▲ | -$10,895 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,208 | $43,255▲ | -$3,047 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 78,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $13,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $96,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($47,977 vs $51,613 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
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.