Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists 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
$67,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$73,626 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$65,316 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $67,000 | $105,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,590 | $80,850▲ | -$29,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,760 | $134,400▲ | -$48,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,200 | $168,000▲ | -$60,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,626▲ | $56,452 | +$17,174 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,438 | $87,997▲ | -$28,559 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,316▲ | $47,310 | +$18,006 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 78,000 | -54,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $38,000 more (median: $67,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($73,626 vs $56,452 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.