Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Denver, CO vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Denver, CO and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$81,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$63,281 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$55,899 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $81,000 | $105,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,370 | $80,850▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,680 | $134,400▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,600 | $168,000▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 186 | -58 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 9.3% | -4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,281▲ | $56,452 | +$6,829 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,551 | $87,997▲ | -$16,446 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,899▲ | $47,310 | +$8,589 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 78,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $81,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 186), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($63,281 vs $56,452 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.