Physical Therapist Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Physical therapists evaluate and treat patients to restore movement, reduce pain, and improve function across orthopedic, sports medicine, neurological, and geriatric specialties.
National Median
$95,000
Best State (Net)
$78,938
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$75,421
No state tax
Job Growth
15%
Key Facts — Physical Therapist 2026
BLS median: $99,710 (BLS May 2023 OES) — strong growth profession
DPT degree required since 2016 — adds 3 years of post-bachelor education
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS NYC) is the top US orthopedic hospital
Travel PT contracts can exceed $130K with per-diem and lodging stipends
CA sports medicine PT specialty for pro teams is uniquely lucrative
Salary by Experience Level
New Graduate PT
$78,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,461
First role post-DPT
Outpatient PT (Mid-Career)
$95,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$75,421
Most common practice setting
Senior PT / OCS Specialty
$120,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$93,008
Board-certified specialty
PT Practice Owner
$165,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$123,780
Cash-pay urban or specialty practice
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Sports PT (Pro Teams / HSS) | $147,250 | +55% |
| Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) | $114,000 | +20% |
| Neurological PT | $109,250 | +15% |
| Pediatric PT | $104,500 | +10% |
| Geriatric PT (Florida specialty) | $109,250 | +15% |
| Travel PT (Contract) | $123,500 | +30% |
Best States for Physical Therapists — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Physical Therapist Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $78,938 | |
| $95,000 | $75,421 | |
| $100,000 | $74,688 | |
| $105,000 | $74,086 | |
| $100,000 | $73,524 | |
| $92,000 | $73,310 | |
| $90,000 | $71,903 | |
| $90,000 | $71,903 | |
| $98,000 | $71,846 | |
| $95,000 | $71,421 | |
11Arizona | $92,000 | $71,385 |
| $88,000 | $70,496 | |
13Colorado | $92,000 | $69,922 |
14Maryland | $92,000 | $69,653 |
15Virginia | $92,000 | $68,883 |
| $85,000 | $68,386 | |
| $88,000 | $68,255 | |
| $88,000 | $67,576 | |
| $88,000 | $67,029 | |
20Illinois | $88,000 | $66,883 |
21Delaware | $88,000 | $66,481 |
22Hawaii | $92,000 | $66,380 |
23Ohio | $85,000 | $65,936 |
24Indiana | $84,000 | $65,509 |
25Michigan | $85,000 | $65,411 |
26Utah | $85,000 | $65,201 |
| $80,000 | $64,868 | |
| $85,000 | $64,676 | |
29Georgia | $85,000 | $64,543 |
30Oregon | $90,000 | $64,478 |
| $82,000 | $63,528 | |
| $78,000 | $63,461 | |
| $82,000 | $63,428 | |
| $88,000 | $63,306 | |
| $80,000 | $63,243 | |
36Oklahoma | $82,000 | $63,093 |
37Missouri | $82,000 | $62,959 |
38Kansas | $82,000 | $62,925 |
39Idaho | $82,000 | $62,389 |
40Nebraska | $82,000 | $62,362 |
41Montana | $82,000 | $62,322 |
42Alabama | $80,000 | $62,268 |
| $82,000 | $61,987 | |
44Kentucky | $80,000 | $61,943 |
45Maine | $82,000 | $61,485 |
46Vermont | $82,000 | $61,183 |
47Iowa | $80,000 | $61,163 |
48Arkansas | $78,000 | $60,689 |
| $75,000 | $58,951 | |
| $75,000 | $58,651 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Physical Therapist
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Physical Therapist Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$62,268
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$78,938
net
Arizona
$71,385
net
Arkansas
$60,689
net
California
$74,086
net
Colorado
$69,922
net
Connecticut
$71,421
net
Delaware
$66,481
net
FloridaNo state tax
$70,496
net
Georgia
$64,543
net
Hawaii
$66,380
net
Idaho
$62,389
net
Illinois
$66,883
net
Indiana
$65,509
net
Iowa
$61,163
net
Kansas
$62,925
net
Kentucky
$61,943
net
Louisiana
$63,428
net
Maine
$61,485
net
Maryland
$69,653
net
Massachusetts
$74,688
net
Michigan
$65,411
net
Minnesota
$63,306
net
Mississippi
$58,951
net
Missouri
$62,959
net
Montana
$62,322
net
Nebraska
$62,362
net
NevadaNo state tax
$73,310
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$71,903
net
New Jersey
$73,524
net
New Mexico
$63,528
net
New York
$71,846
net
North Carolina
$67,029
net
North Dakota
$63,243
net
Ohio
$65,936
net
Oklahoma
$63,093
net
Oregon
$64,478
net
Pennsylvania
$68,255
net
Rhode Island
$67,576
net
South Carolina
$61,987
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$63,461
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$68,386
net
TexasNo state tax
$71,903
net
Utah
$65,201
net
Vermont
$61,183
net
Virginia
$68,883
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$75,421
net
West Virginia
$58,651
net
Wisconsin
$64,676
net
WyomingNo state tax
$64,868
net