Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$90,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$52,023 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$43,599 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $105,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $80,850▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $134,400▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $168,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,023 | $56,452▲ | -$4,429 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,426 | $87,997▲ | -$12,571 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,599 | $47,310▲ | -$3,711 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 78,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($52,023 vs $56,452 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.