Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $81,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$56,452 vs $63,281
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$47,310 vs $55,899
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $81,000 | +$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850▲ | $62,370 | +$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400▲ | $103,680 | +$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $129,600 | +$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,452 | $63,281▲ | -$6,829 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,997▲ | $71,551 | +$16,446 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,310 | $55,899▲ | -$8,589 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 42,000 | +36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $81,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($56,452 vs $63,281 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.