Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$79,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$70,536 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$65,175 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $79,000 | $105,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,830 | $80,850▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,120 | $134,400▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,400 | $168,000▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,536▲ | $56,452 | +$14,084 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,996 | $87,997▲ | -$15,001 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,175▲ | $47,310 | +$17,865 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 78,000 | -25,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $26,000 more (median: $79,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($70,536 vs $56,452 equivalent). Dallas, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.