Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$88,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$85,437 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$76,970 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $126,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,760 | $97,020▲ | -$29,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,640 | $161,280▲ | -$48,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $140,800 | $201,600▲ | -$60,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 9.3% | -6.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,437▲ | $67,742 | +$17,695 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,279 | $105,597▲ | -$26,318 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,970▲ | $56,773 | +$20,197 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 41,600 | -21,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $38,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($85,437 vs $67,742 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.