SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 29-1123 · District of Columbia · Updated 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Washington, DC

Physical Therapists in Washington, DC earn a median of $91,000/year, ranging from $70,070 (25th percentile) to $145,600 (90th percentile). After District of Columbia state taxes (6.5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 152), this is equivalent to $59,868 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$91,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$70,070
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$116,480
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$145,600
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Washington, DC

P25
P75
P25
$70,070
Median
$91,000
P75
$116,480
P90
$145,600

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$91,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$78,619
After 6.5% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$51,723
vs US average (COL index: 152)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Washington, DC Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Washington, DC (current)$91,000152$59,868
San Francisco, CA$105,000186$56,452
New York, NY$101,000187$54,011
Seattle, WA$102,000162$62,963
Boston, MA$93,000162$57,407
Austin, TX$84,000124$67,742

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Washington, DC?

The median Physical Therapist salary in Washington, DC is $91,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $70,070 and the 90th percentile is $145,600.

Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a Physical Therapist?

Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $91,000 Physical Therapist salary in Washington, DC is equivalent to $59,868 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Washington, DC?

Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152, meaning it is 52% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in District of Columbia is approximately 6.5%.

What is the Physical Therapist salary range in Washington, DC?

In Washington, DC, Physical Therapists earn between $70,070 (25th percentile) and $145,600 (90th percentile), with a median of $91,000 per year.

How many Physical Therapist jobs are there in Washington, DC?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 67,500 Physical Therapist positions in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

What do Physical Therapists earn in Washington, DC?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Physical Therapists in Washington, DC earn a median annual wage of $91,000. The middle 50% earn between $70,070 and $116,480. The top 10% earn more than $145,600. There are approximately 67,500 Physical Therapists employed in the Washington, DC metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.4%.

Is Washington, DC a good place for a Physical Therapist?

Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 152 (US average = 100), making it 52% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Physical Therapist in Washington, DC earning $91,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $59,868 relative to the US median. District of Columbia has a state income tax rate of approximately 6.5%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Washington, DC?

Washington, DC's cost of living index is 152, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $91,000 in Washington, DChas the same purchasing power as $59,868 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 Washington, DC with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

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.