Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$90,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$52,023 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$43,599 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $101,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $77,770▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $129,280▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $161,600▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,023 | $54,011▲ | -$1,988 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,426 | $86,931▲ | -$11,505 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,599 | $46,487▲ | -$2,888 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 102,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $11,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($52,023 vs $54,011 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.