Physical Therapist Salary in Washington, DC
Physical Therapists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $102,980 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,492 take-home, or $6,291 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,826
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,385
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,493
- District of Columbia income tax$5,785
- Take-home pay$75,492
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,080 | $38.02 | $60,709 | $5,059 |
| 25th percentile | $94,680 | $45.52 | $70,358 | $5,863 |
| Median (50th) | $102,980 | $49.51 | $75,492 | $6,291 |
| 75th percentile | $127,020 | $61.07 | $90,256 | $7,521 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,070 | $65.90 | $96,271 | $8,023 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,980 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $75,492 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,332 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #20 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 |
| 20 | Washington, DC | $102,980 | $75,492 | $69,332 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median physical therapist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $102,980 a year, or about $49.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $94,680 and $127,020.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $102,980 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $75,492 a year ($6,291 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,785 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,332 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #20 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- Physician Assistant — $148,200
- Nurse Practitioner — $134,840
- Occupational Therapist — $102,960
- Registered Nurse — $102,710
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $99,960
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $97,390
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $70,300