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)
$79,180
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$75,663
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):
$63,703
First role post-DPT
Outpatient PT (Mid-Career)
$95,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$75,663
Most common practice setting
Senior PT / OCS Specialty
$120,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$93,250
Board-certified specialty
PT Practice Owner
$165,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$124,044
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 | $79,180 | |
| $105,000 | $75,813 | |
| $95,000 | $75,663 | |
| $100,000 | $74,580 | |
| $100,000 | $74,400 | |
| $92,000 | $73,552 | |
| $98,000 | $72,588 | |
| $90,000 | $72,145 | |
| $90,000 | $72,145 | |
10Arizona | $92,000 | $71,655 |
| $95,000 | $70,988 | |
| $88,000 | $70,738 | |
13Colorado | $92,000 | $70,212 |
14Virginia | $92,000 | $69,023 |
| $85,000 | $68,628 | |
| $88,000 | $68,036 | |
| $88,000 | $67,736 | |
18Maryland | $92,000 | $67,623 |
19Hawaii | $92,000 | $67,613 |
| $88,000 | $67,087 | |
21Ohio | $85,000 | $66,725 |
22Illinois | $88,000 | $66,527 |
| $88,000 | $66,277 | |
24Delaware | $88,000 | $66,271 |
25Oregon | $90,000 | $65,608 |
26Indiana | $84,000 | $65,476 |
27Michigan | $85,000 | $65,266 |
28Georgia | $85,000 | $65,135 |
| $80,000 | $65,110 | |
| $85,000 | $65,053 | |
31Utah | $85,000 | $64,943 |
| $80,000 | $64,831 | |
| $82,000 | $64,432 | |
| $82,000 | $63,829 | |
| $78,000 | $63,703 | |
36Missouri | $82,000 | $63,665 |
37Nebraska | $82,000 | $63,490 |
| $82,000 | $63,396 | |
39Oklahoma | $82,000 | $63,373 |
40Idaho | $82,000 | $63,279 |
41Montana | $82,000 | $63,245 |
42Vermont | $82,000 | $63,215 |
43Kansas | $82,000 | $62,741 |
44Iowa | $80,000 | $62,682 |
45Kentucky | $80,000 | $62,428 |
46Maine | $82,000 | $62,268 |
47Alabama | $80,000 | $61,789 |
48Arkansas | $78,000 | $61,276 |
| $75,000 | $59,047 | |
| $75,000 | $58,685 |
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
$61,789
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$79,180
net
Arizona
$71,655
net
Arkansas
$61,276
net
California
$75,813
net
Colorado
$70,212
net
Connecticut
$70,988
net
Delaware
$66,271
net
FloridaNo state tax
$70,738
net
Georgia
$65,135
net
Hawaii
$67,613
net
Idaho
$63,279
net
Illinois
$66,527
net
Indiana
$65,476
net
Iowa
$62,682
net
Kansas
$62,741
net
Kentucky
$62,428
net
Louisiana
$64,432
net
Maine
$62,268
net
Maryland
$67,623
net
Massachusetts
$74,400
net
Michigan
$65,266
net
Minnesota
$66,277
net
Mississippi
$58,685
net
Missouri
$63,665
net
Montana
$63,245
net
Nebraska
$63,490
net
NevadaNo state tax
$73,552
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$72,145
net
New Jersey
$74,580
net
New Mexico
$63,829
net
New York
$72,588
net
North Carolina
$67,736
net
North Dakota
$64,831
net
Ohio
$66,725
net
Oklahoma
$63,373
net
Oregon
$65,608
net
Pennsylvania
$68,036
net
Rhode Island
$67,087
net
South Carolina
$63,396
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$63,703
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$68,628
net
TexasNo state tax
$72,145
net
Utah
$64,943
net
Vermont
$63,215
net
Virginia
$69,023
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$75,663
net
West Virginia
$59,047
net
Wisconsin
$65,053
net
WyomingNo state tax
$65,110
net