Pharmacist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Pharmacist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Pharmacists in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$126,000 vs $97,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$67,742 vs $75,781
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$56,773 vs $66,941
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $126,000▲ | $97,000 | +$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,020▲ | $74,690 | +$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $161,280▲ | $124,160 | +$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $201,600▲ | $155,200 | +$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,742 | $75,781▲ | -$8,039 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,597▲ | $85,684 | +$19,913 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,773 | $66,941▲ | -$10,168 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 22,400 | +19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $29,000 more (median: $126,000 vs $97,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($67,742 vs $75,781 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.