Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Louisville, KY vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Louisville, KY and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$60,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$68,966 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$61,175 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $60,000 | $105,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,200 | $80,850▲ | -$34,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,800 | $134,400▲ | -$57,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,000 | $168,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 186 | -99 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 9.3% | -5.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,966▲ | $56,452 | +$12,514 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,222 | $87,997▲ | -$34,775 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,175▲ | $47,310 | +$13,865 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 78,000 | -63,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $60,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 186), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($68,966 vs $56,452 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% 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.