Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$73,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$70,874 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$63,850 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $105,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $80,850▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $134,400▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $168,000▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 9.3% | -6.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,874▲ | $56,452 | +$14,422 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,766 | $87,997▲ | -$22,231 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,850▲ | $47,310 | +$16,540 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 78,000 | -40,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $32,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($70,874 vs $56,452 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.