Physical Therapist Salary in Denver, CO
Physical Therapists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $102,340 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,032 take-home, or $6,419 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,685
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,345
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,484
- Colorado income tax$3,795
- Take-home pay$77,032
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,040 | $38.00 | $61,665 | $5,139 |
| 25th percentile | $83,840 | $40.31 | $64,831 | $5,403 |
| Median (50th) | $102,340 | $49.20 | $77,032 | $6,419 |
| 75th percentile | $121,290 | $58.31 | $89,529 | $7,461 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,640 | $64.73 | $98,077 | $8,173 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,340 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $77,032 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,821 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Physical Therapist jobs are about as common in Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #14 of 21 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $107,700 | $84,597 | $85,773 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $141,980 | $97,489 | $84,324 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $103,630 | $81,734 | $83,346 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $103,770 | $78,800 | $82,345 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $107,780 | $84,653 | $82,116 |
| 6 | Tampa, FL | $102,430 | $80,890 | $80,176 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $100,600 | $75,811 | $79,727 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $105,790 | $80,006 | $78,013 |
| 14 | Denver, CO | $102,340 | $77,032 | $72,821 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 21 metros →
About the job: physical therapists
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +11.9% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Denver, CO?
The median physical therapist salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $102,340 a year, or about $49.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $83,840 and $121,290.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $102,340 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $77,032 a year ($6,419 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,795 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,821 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #14 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Pharmacist — $157,890
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $112,090
- Registered Nurse — $101,130
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,810
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $70,050
- Pharmacy Technician — $50,970