Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$73,333 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$65,680 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $105,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $80,850▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $134,400▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $168,000▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 9.3% | -6.23% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,333▲ | $56,452 | +$16,881 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,112 | $87,997▲ | -$28,885 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,680▲ | $47,310 | +$18,370 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 78,000 | -57,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $39,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($73,333 vs $56,452 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% 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.