Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Richmond, VA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$69,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$68,317 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$59,495 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $105,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $80,850▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $134,400▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $168,000▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,317▲ | $56,452 | +$11,865 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,090 | $87,997▲ | -$27,907 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,495▲ | $47,310 | +$12,185 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 78,000 | -57,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $36,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($68,317 vs $56,452 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% 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.