Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$91,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$59,868 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$51,723 vs $62,594
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $91,000▲ | $84,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,070▲ | $64,680 | +$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,480▲ | $107,520 | +$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $145,600▲ | $134,400 | +$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,868 | $67,742▲ | -$7,874 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,619▲ | $77,616 | +$1,003 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,723 | $62,594▲ | -$10,871 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 57,000 | +10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $7,000 more (median: $91,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($59,868 vs $67,742 equivalent). Austin, 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.