Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Washington, DC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Washington, DC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$91,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$59,868 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$51,723 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $91,000 | $101,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,070 | $77,770▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,480 | $129,280▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $145,600 | $161,600▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 6.85% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,868▲ | $54,011 | +$5,857 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,619 | $86,931▲ | -$8,312 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,723▲ | $46,487 | +$5,236 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 102,000 | -34,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $10,000 more (median: $91,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($59,868 vs $54,011 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.