Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Charlotte, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Charlotte, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$69,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$67,647 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$59,693 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $105,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $80,850▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $134,400▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $168,000▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 186 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,647▲ | $56,452 | +$11,195 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,887 | $87,997▲ | -$27,110 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,693▲ | $47,310 | +$12,383 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 78,000 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $36,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 186), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($67,647 vs $56,452 equivalent). Charlotte, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.