Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$53,000 vs $102,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$62,353 vs $62,963
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$57,614 vs $58,178
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $102,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $78,540▲ | -$37,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $130,560▲ | -$62,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $163,200▲ | -$78,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,353 | $62,963▲ | -$610 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $94,248▲ | -$45,276 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,614 | $58,178▲ | -$564 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 87,000 | -78,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $49,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $102,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($62,353 vs $62,963 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.