Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$260,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$139,785 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$117,149 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $260,000▲ | $248,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $195,000▲ | $186,000 | +$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $340,000▲ | $325,000 | +$15,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $420,000▲ | $402,000 | +$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $139,785 | $153,086▲ | -$13,301 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $217,898 | $229,152▲ | -$11,254 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $117,149 | $141,452▲ | -$24,303 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 9,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $12,000 more (median: $260,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($139,785 vs $153,086 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.