Physical Therapist Salary in Atlanta, GA
Physical Therapists in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $75,000/year, ranging from $57,750 (25th percentile) to $120,000 (90th percentile). After Georgia state taxes (5.49%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 108), this is equivalent to $69,444 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Atlanta, GA
Physical therapists in Atlanta work across a sprawling network of outpatient clinics, hospitals, and sports medicine centers. Notable employers in this market include Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, and numerous Athletico and Benchmark Physical Therapy locations spread across the suburbs. The city's car-dependent layout means most PT clinics cluster in accessible pockets - expect a 20-40 minute commute via I-75 or I-285 depending on where you land. A one-bedroom apartment in walkable neighborhoods like East Atlanta or Virginia Highland runs around $1,400-$1,600 monthly, which eats significantly into a median salary sitting near $75,000. Georgia's state income tax of roughly 5.5% is moderate, but the real pull here is the volume of sports medicine work driven by college athletics and an active population in the metro's growing fitness scene.
1Salary Distribution in Atlanta, GA
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Atlanta, GA Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA (current) | $75,000 | 108 | $69,444 |
| San Francisco, CA | $105,000 | 186 | $56,452 |
| New York, NY | $101,000 | 187 | $54,011 |
| Seattle, WA | $102,000 | 162 | $62,963 |
| Boston, MA | $93,000 | 162 | $57,407 |
| Austin, TX | $84,000 | 124 | $67,742 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Atlanta, GA?
The median Physical Therapist salary in Atlanta, GA is $75,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $57,750 and the 90th percentile is $120,000.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a Physical Therapist?
Atlanta, GA has a cost of living index of 108 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $75,000 Physical Therapist salary in Atlanta, GA is equivalent to $69,444 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Atlanta, GA?
Atlanta, GA has a cost of living index of 108, meaning it is 8% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Georgia is approximately 5.49%.
What is the Physical Therapist salary range in Atlanta, GA?
In Atlanta, GA, Physical Therapists earn between $57,750 (25th percentile) and $120,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $75,000 per year.
How many Physical Therapist jobs are there in Atlanta, GA?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 45,000 Physical Therapist positions in the Atlanta, GA metropolitan area.
What do Physical Therapists earn in Atlanta, GA?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Physical Therapists in Atlanta, GA earn a median annual wage of $75,000. The middle 50% earn between $57,750 and $96,000. The top 10% earn more than $120,000. There are approximately 45,000 Physical Therapists employed in the Atlanta, GA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5%.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place for a Physical Therapist?
Atlanta, GA has a cost of living index of 108 (US average = 100), making it 8% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Physical Therapist in Atlanta, GA earning $75,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $69,444 relative to the US median. Georgia has a state income tax rate of approximately 5.49%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Atlanta, GA?
Atlanta, GA's cost of living index is 108, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $75,000 in Atlanta, GAhas the same purchasing power as $69,444 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Atlanta, GA with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Physical Therapist in Atlanta, GA?
The headline median of $75,000 is only part of the picture. Atlanta, GA's cost of living index is 108 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 93¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $75,000 salary effectively purchases $69,444 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Atlanta, GA, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $75,000 salary, that translates to roughly $21,000/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Georgia levies a state income tax of approximately 5.49%, which reduces take-home by roughly $4,118 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $65,495. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($105,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($101,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($102,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 5% year-over-year growth rate for Physical Therapists in Atlanta, GA is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Physical Therapists or the Georgia state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.