Physical Therapist Salary in Seattle, WA
Physical Therapists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $107,290 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $84,309 take-home, or $7,026 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,774
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,652
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,556
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$84,309
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,790 | $31.15 | $54,239 | $4,520 |
| 25th percentile | $95,060 | $45.70 | $75,705 | $6,309 |
| Median (50th) | $107,290 | $51.58 | $84,309 | $7,026 |
| 75th percentile | $133,070 | $63.98 | $102,219 | $8,518 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,960 | $69.69 | $110,346 | $9,196 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $107,290 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $84,309 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,863 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #12 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 |
| 12 | Seattle, WA | $107,290 | $84,309 | $75,863 |
*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 Seattle, WA?
The median physical therapist salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $107,290 a year, or about $51.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $95,060 and $133,070.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $107,290 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $84,309 a year ($7,026 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,863 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #12 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $162,870
- Dental Hygienist — $133,740
- Registered Nurse — $128,260
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $85,690
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $78,170
- Medical Records Specialist — $65,530
- Pharmacy Technician — $61,320