Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$66,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$73,333 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$65,680 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $101,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $77,770▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $129,280▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $161,600▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 6.85% | -3.78% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,333▲ | $54,011 | +$19,322 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,112 | $86,931▲ | -$27,819 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,680▲ | $46,487 | +$19,193 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 102,000 | -81,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $35,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($73,333 vs $54,011 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% 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.