Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Washington, DC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$91,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$59,868 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$51,723 vs $47,310
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $91,000 | $105,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,070 | $80,850▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,480 | $134,400▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $145,600 | $168,000▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 9.3% | -2.8000000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,868▲ | $56,452 | +$3,416 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,619 | $87,997▲ | -$9,378 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,723▲ | $47,310 | +$4,413 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 78,000 | -10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $14,000 more (median: $91,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($59,868 vs $56,452 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.