Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Pittsburgh, PA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$208,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$231,111 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$206,991 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $208,000 | $260,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $156,000 | $195,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $272,000 | $340,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000 | $420,000▲ | -$82,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 9.3% | -6.23% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $231,111▲ | $139,785 | +$91,326 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $186,292 | $217,898▲ | -$31,606 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $206,991▲ | $117,149 | +$89,842 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 8,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $52,000 more (median: $208,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($231,111 vs $139,785 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 9.3%).
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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.