Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$77,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$71,963 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$63,202 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $105,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $80,850▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $134,400▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $168,000▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,963▲ | $56,452 | +$15,511 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,626 | $87,997▲ | -$20,371 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,202▲ | $47,310 | +$15,892 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 78,000 | -25,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $28,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($71,963 vs $56,452 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% 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.