Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Denver, CO vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Denver, CO and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$81,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$63,281 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$55,899 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $81,000 | $101,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,370 | $77,770▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,680 | $129,280▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,600 | $161,600▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 187 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 6.85% | -2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,281▲ | $54,011 | +$9,270 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,551 | $86,931▲ | -$15,380 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,899▲ | $46,487 | +$9,412 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 102,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $81,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 187), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($63,281 vs $54,011 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.