Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Portland, OR vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$84,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$64,615 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$54,481 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $105,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $80,850▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $134,400▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $168,000▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 186 | -56 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75%▲ | 9.3% | -0.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,615▲ | $56,452 | +$8,163 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,825 | $87,997▲ | -$17,172 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,481▲ | $47,310 | +$7,171 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 78,000 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $21,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 186), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($64,615 vs $56,452 equivalent). Portland, OR has the lower state tax rate (8.75% 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.