Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Washington, DC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians 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
$242,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$159,211 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$137,548 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $242,000 | $260,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $182,000 | $195,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $317,000 | $340,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $394,000 | $420,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 9.3% | -2.8000000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $159,211▲ | $139,785 | +$19,426 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $209,073 | $217,898▲ | -$8,825 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $137,548▲ | $117,149 | +$20,399 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 8,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $242,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($159,211 vs $139,785 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.