Physical Therapist Salary in Boston, MA
Physical Therapists in Boston, MA earn a median of $93,000/year, ranging from $71,610 (25th percentile) to $148,800 (90th percentile). After Massachusetts state taxes (5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 162), this is equivalent to $57,407 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Boston, MA
Physical therapy clinics and rehabilitation centers across Boston draw staffing from a mix of independent practices and health systems like Partners HealthCare and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. A one-bedroom apartment in neighborhoods like Jamaica Plain or Somerville runs around $1,800 to $2,000 monthly on a typical PT salary, which means budgeting carefully unless you're pulling from the upper end of the pay scale. The MBTA subway network and commuter rail make car ownership optional for many therapists, though rush-hour Red Line crowding on the Cambridge to downtown corridor can be brutal. Massachusetts' 5% state income tax is among the lower rates on the East Coast, and the region's concentration of academic medical centers and orthopedic specialty clinics means steady referral flow and continuing education opportunities within walking distance of your workplace.
1Salary Distribution in Boston, MA
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 Boston, MA Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA (current) | $93,000 | 162 | $57,407 |
| San Francisco, CA | $105,000 | 186 | $56,452 |
| New York, NY | $101,000 | 187 | $54,011 |
| Seattle, WA | $102,000 | 162 | $62,963 |
| Austin, TX | $84,000 | 124 | $67,742 |
| Denver, CO | $81,000 | 128 | $63,281 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Boston, MA?
The median Physical Therapist salary in Boston, MA is $93,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $71,610 and the 90th percentile is $148,800.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a Physical Therapist?
Boston, MA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $93,000 Physical Therapist salary in Boston, MA is equivalent to $57,407 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Boston, MA?
Boston, MA has a cost of living index of 162, meaning it is 62% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Massachusetts is approximately 5%.
What is the Physical Therapist salary range in Boston, MA?
In Boston, MA, Physical Therapists earn between $71,610 (25th percentile) and $148,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,000 per year.
How many Physical Therapist jobs are there in Boston, MA?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 63,000 Physical Therapist positions in the Boston, MA metropolitan area.
What do Physical Therapists earn in Boston, MA?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Physical Therapists in Boston, MA earn a median annual wage of $93,000. The middle 50% earn between $71,610 and $119,040. The top 10% earn more than $148,800. There are approximately 63,000 Physical Therapists employed in the Boston, MA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 4.1%.
Is Boston, MA a good place for a Physical Therapist?
Boston, MA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100), making it 62% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Physical Therapist in Boston, MA earning $93,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $57,407 relative to the US median. Massachusetts has a state income tax rate of approximately 5%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Boston, MA?
Boston, MA's cost of living index is 162, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $93,000 in Boston, MAhas the same purchasing power as $57,407 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 Boston, MA with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Physical Therapist in Boston, MA?
The headline median of $93,000 is only part of the picture. Boston, MA's cost of living index is 162 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 62¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $93,000 salary effectively purchases $57,407 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Boston, MA, the median household typically spends 35–45% of gross income on housing — significantly above the 28% "affordable" threshold most lenders use. For a $93,000 salary, that translates to roughly $37,200/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Massachusetts levies a state income tax of approximately 5%, which reduces take-home by roughly $4,650 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 $81,635. 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 4.1% year-over-year growth rate for Physical Therapists in Boston, MA is a leading indicator of market health. Healthy growth at a steady pace — enough to support mobility but not so fast that compensation is racing ahead of credentials. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Physical Therapists or the Massachusetts 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.