Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Miami, FL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Miami, FL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$72,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Miami, FL
$58,537 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Miami, FL
$54,088 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $105,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,440 | $80,850▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,160 | $134,400▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,200 | $168,000▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 186 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,537▲ | $56,452 | +$2,085 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,528 | $87,997▲ | -$21,469 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,088▲ | $47,310 | +$6,778 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 78,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Miami, FL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $33,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 123 vs 186), Miami, FL provides better purchasing power ($58,537 vs $56,452 equivalent). Miami, FL 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.