Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$212,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$189,286 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$166,767 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $212,000 | $260,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,000 | $195,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $278,000 | $340,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $346,000 | $420,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 9.3% | -4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $189,286▲ | $139,785 | +$49,501 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $186,779 | $217,898▲ | -$31,119 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $166,767▲ | $117,149 | +$49,618 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 8,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $48,000 more (median: $212,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($189,286 vs $139,785 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% vs 9.3%).
4More Physician City Comparisons
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.