Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Indianapolis, IN 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
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$72,222 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$64,631 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | 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 | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,222▲ | $56,452 | +$15,770 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,168 | $87,997▲ | -$29,829 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,631▲ | $47,310 | +$17,321 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 78,000 | -55,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN 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 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($72,222 vs $56,452 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.