Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$102,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$62,963 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,178 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $105,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,540 | $80,850▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,560 | $134,400▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,200 | $168,000▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,963▲ | $56,452 | +$6,511 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,248▲ | $87,997 | +$6,251 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,178▲ | $47,310 | +$10,868 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 78,000 | +9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($62,963 vs $56,452 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.