Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners 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
$140,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$80,925 vs $83,333
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$67,821 vs $69,839
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000 | $155,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 | $120,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $179,000 | $198,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,000 | $240,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,925 | $83,333▲ | -$2,408 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $117,330 | $129,901▲ | -$12,571 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,821 | $69,839▲ | -$2,018 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 5,000 | +9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($80,925 vs $83,333 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.