Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$56,452 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$47,310 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $101,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850▲ | $77,770 | +$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400▲ | $129,280 | +$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $161,600 | +$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 187 | -1 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,452▲ | $54,011 | +$2,441 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,997▲ | $86,931 | +$1,066 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,310▲ | $46,487 | +$823 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 102,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $4,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 187), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($56,452 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.