Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $93,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$56,452 vs $57,407
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$47,310 vs $50,392
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $93,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850▲ | $71,610 | +$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400▲ | $119,040 | +$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $148,800 | +$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,452 | $57,407▲ | -$955 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,997▲ | $81,635 | +$6,362 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,310 | $50,392▲ | -$3,082 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 63,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $12,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $93,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($56,452 vs $57,407 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (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.