Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Detroit, MI vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Detroit, MI and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$65,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$73,034 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$64,615 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $105,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $80,850▲ | -$30,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $134,400▲ | -$51,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $168,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 186 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 9.3% | -5.050000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,034▲ | $56,452 | +$16,582 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,507 | $87,997▲ | -$30,490 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,615▲ | $47,310 | +$17,305 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 78,000 | -55,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $40,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 186), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($73,034 vs $56,452 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.