Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$93,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$57,407 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$50,392 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $93,000 | $105,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,610 | $80,850▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,040 | $134,400▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,800 | $168,000▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,407▲ | $56,452 | +$955 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,635 | $87,997▲ | -$6,362 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,392▲ | $47,310 | +$3,082 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 78,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $12,000 more (median: $93,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($57,407 vs $56,452 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (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.