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