Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Richmond, VA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$69,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$68,317 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$59,495 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $101,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $77,770▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $129,280▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $161,600▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,317▲ | $54,011 | +$14,306 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,090 | $86,931▲ | -$26,841 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,495▲ | $46,487 | +$13,008 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 102,000 | -81,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $32,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($68,317 vs $54,011 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% 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.