Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Atlanta, GA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$75,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$69,444 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$60,644 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $101,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,750 | $77,770▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $129,280▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $161,600▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 187 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 6.85% | -1.3599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,444▲ | $54,011 | +$15,433 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,495 | $86,931▲ | -$21,436 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,644▲ | $46,487 | +$14,157 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 102,000 | -57,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $26,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 187), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($69,444 vs $54,011 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 6.85%).
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.