Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$71,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$64,545 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$59,640 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $71,000 | $105,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,670 | $80,850▲ | -$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,880 | $134,400▲ | -$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $113,600 | $168,000▲ | -$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,545▲ | $56,452 | +$8,093 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,604 | $87,997▲ | -$22,393 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,640▲ | $47,310 | +$12,330 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 78,000 | -51,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $34,000 more (median: $71,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($64,545 vs $56,452 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.