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.
US Average
$105,280
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$93,742
Nevada
Take-Home TX
$85,701
on $109,270 · No state tax
Job Growth
15%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123)
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
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Physical Therapists across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$77,140
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,098
25th percentile
$86,160
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$69,444
Median
$102,760
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$81,122
75th percentile
$121,160
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$94,066
Top 10%
$135,140
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$103,634
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
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $120,700 | $93,742 | |
| $115,830 | $90,316 | |
| $122,580 | $86,301 | |
| $109,270 | $85,701 | |
| $108,550 | $85,195 | |
| $114,550 | $83,828 | |
| $110,060 | $82,195 | |
| $107,360 | $82,076 | |
| $109,080 | $80,313 | |
10Maryland | $110,700 | $79,343 |
11Delaware | $108,470 | $79,321 |
| $106,900 | $78,909 | |
| $99,480 | $78,814 | |
14Ohio | $102,740 | $78,717 |
| $98,510 | $78,132 | |
| $98,420 | $78,068 | |
17Colorado | $103,870 | $78,041 |
| $98,260 | $77,956 | |
19Indiana | $102,240 | $77,769 |
| $105,460 | $77,669 | |
| $101,650 | $77,220 | |
22Georgia | $103,240 | $77,056 |
23Virginia | $104,070 | $76,873 |
| $102,520 | $76,585 | |
| $102,210 | $76,176 | |
26Oregon | $106,510 | $75,779 |
| $100,010 | $75,705 | |
28New York | $102,740 | $75,643 |
29Michigan | $100,630 | $75,597 |
| $102,240 | $75,327 | |
31Kentucky | $99,190 | $75,256 |
32Alabama | $100,190 | $75,205 |
| $97,250 | $74,703 | |
34Missouri | $98,700 | $74,655 |
35Arkansas | $98,120 | $74,627 |
36Utah | $99,790 | $74,592 |
| $93,200 | $74,396 | |
| $96,850 | $73,822 | |
| $98,100 | $73,698 | |
40Hawaii | $101,050 | $73,653 |
41Oklahoma | $97,520 | $73,592 |
| $96,880 | $73,437 | |
| $92,480 | $73,367 | |
44Idaho | $96,830 | $72,926 |
45Nebraska | $95,890 | $72,805 |
46Maine | $97,950 | $72,756 |
47Iowa | $94,780 | $72,558 |
48Vermont | $95,870 | $72,471 |
49Kansas | $95,540 | $71,511 |
50Montana | $93,440 | $70,647 |
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
$75,205
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$90,316
net
Arizona
$82,076
net
Arkansas
$74,627
net
California
$86,301
net
Colorado
$78,041
net
Connecticut
$77,669
net
Delaware
$79,321
net
FloridaNo state tax
$78,132
net
Georgia
$77,056
net
Hawaii
$73,653
net
Idaho
$72,926
net
Illinois
$80,313
net
Indiana
$77,769
net
Iowa
$72,558
net
Kansas
$71,511
net
Kentucky
$75,256
net
Louisiana
$74,703
net
Maine
$72,756
net
Maryland
$79,343
net
Massachusetts
$78,909
net
Michigan
$75,597
net
Minnesota
$75,327
net
Mississippi
$73,822
net
Missouri
$74,655
net
Montana
$70,647
net
Nebraska
$72,805
net
NevadaNo state tax
$93,742
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$78,068
net
New Jersey
$83,828
net
New Mexico
$82,195
net
New York
$75,643
net
North Carolina
$75,705
net
North Dakota
$73,367
net
Ohio
$78,717
net
Oklahoma
$73,592
net
Oregon
$75,779
net
Pennsylvania
$77,220
net
Rhode Island
$76,585
net
South Carolina
$73,698
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$74,396
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$77,956
net
TexasNo state tax
$85,701
net
Utah
$74,592
net
Vermont
$72,471
net
Virginia
$76,873
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$85,195
net
West Virginia
$73,437
net
Wisconsin
$76,176
net
WyomingNo state tax
$78,814
net