Pharmacist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Pharmacist Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Pharmacists in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$81,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$89,011 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$78,965 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $81,000 | $126,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,370 | $97,020▲ | -$34,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,680 | $161,280▲ | -$57,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,600 | $201,600▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,011▲ | $67,742 | +$21,269 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,858 | $105,597▲ | -$33,739 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,965▲ | $56,773 | +$22,192 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 41,600 | -28,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $81,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($89,011 vs $67,742 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.