Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in San Diego, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$87,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$57,237 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$47,968 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $101,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $77,770▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $129,280▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $161,600▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,237▲ | $54,011 | +$3,226 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,912 | $86,931▲ | -$14,019 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,968▲ | $46,487 | +$1,481 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 102,000 | -66,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $14,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($57,237 vs $54,011 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.