Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians 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
$248,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$153,086 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$141,452 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $248,000 | $260,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,000 | $195,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $325,000 | $340,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $402,000 | $420,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $153,086▲ | $139,785 | +$13,301 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $229,152▲ | $217,898 | +$11,254 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $141,452▲ | $117,149 | +$24,303 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 8,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $12,000 more (median: $248,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($153,086 vs $139,785 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.