Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$87,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$57,237 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$47,968 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $105,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $80,850▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $134,400▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $168,000▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,237▲ | $56,452 | +$785 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,912 | $87,997▲ | -$15,085 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,968▲ | $47,310 | +$658 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 78,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($57,237 vs $56,452 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.