Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$72,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$64,286 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$56,638 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $105,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,440 | $80,850▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,160 | $134,400▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,200 | $168,000▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 9.3% | -4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,286▲ | $56,452 | +$7,834 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $63,434 | $87,997▲ | -$24,563 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,638▲ | $47,310 | +$9,328 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 78,000 | -51,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $33,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($64,286 vs $56,452 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.