Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$75,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$72,816 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$64,254 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $105,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,750 | $80,850▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $134,400▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $168,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,816▲ | $56,452 | +$16,364 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,182 | $87,997▲ | -$21,815 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,254▲ | $47,310 | +$16,944 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 78,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $30,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($72,816 vs $56,452 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.