Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$53,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$62,353 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$57,614 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $105,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $80,850▲ | -$40,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $134,400▲ | -$66,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $168,000▲ | -$83,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,353▲ | $56,452 | +$5,901 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $87,997▲ | -$39,025 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,614▲ | $47,310 | +$10,304 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 78,000 | -69,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $52,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($62,353 vs $56,452 equivalent). El Paso, 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.