Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Phoenix, AZ and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$73,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$70,874 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$63,850 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $101,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $77,770▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $129,280▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $161,600▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 6.85% | -4.35% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,874▲ | $54,011 | +$16,863 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,766 | $86,931▲ | -$21,165 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,850▲ | $46,487 | +$17,363 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 102,000 | -64,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $28,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($70,874 vs $54,011 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.