Physical Therapist Aide Salary in Washington, DC
Physical Therapist Aides in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $34,780 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,205 take-home, or $2,434 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist aide salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,994
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,156
- Medicare (1.45%)$504
- District of Columbia income tax$921
- Take-home pay$29,205
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% 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.
Physical Therapist Aide pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,980 | $13.93 | $24,893 | $2,074 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,543 | $2,212 |
| Median (50th) | $34,780 | $16.72 | $29,205 | $2,434 |
| 75th percentile | $38,820 | $18.66 | $32,209 | $2,684 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,050 | $20.22 | $34,610 | $2,884 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,780 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 aide's $29,205 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,822 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 Aide jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.72), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for physical therapist aides, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #13 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $44,440 | $36,543 | $31,608 |
| 2 | Riverside, CA | $38,440 | $32,040 | $30,101 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $35,570 | $30,760 | $29,838 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $33,060 | $28,744 | $29,143 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $36,730 | $30,019 | $28,977 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $35,010 | $29,644 | $28,693 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $37,440 | $30,611 | $28,274 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $37,850 | $31,597 | $28,240 |
| 13 | Washington, DC | $34,780 | $29,205 | $26,822 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist aide make in Washington, DC?
The median physical therapist aide salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $34,780 a year, or about $16.72 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,200 and $38,820.
What is a physical therapist aide’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $34,780 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $29,205 a year ($2,434 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $921 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a physical therapist aide?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $35,240. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,822 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #13 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist aide 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) — 82% of a median physical therapist aide’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $78,790
- Massage Therapist — $65,220
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $55,770
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $50,600
- Phlebotomist — $49,030
- Dental Assistant — $47,540
- Medical Assistant — $46,640
- Nursing Assistant — $45,730
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,320
- Pharmacy Aide — $40,160
- Orderly — $39,160
- Medical Transcriptionist — $38,540