Physical Therapist Salary in Boulder, CO
Physical Therapists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $102,430 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,091 take-home, or $6,424 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,705
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,351
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,485
- Colorado income tax$3,799
- Take-home pay$77,091
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,950 | $37.48 | $60,946 | $5,079 |
| 25th percentile | $86,700 | $41.68 | $66,717 | $5,560 |
| Median (50th) | $102,430 | $49.25 | $77,091 | $6,424 |
| 75th percentile | $121,170 | $58.25 | $89,450 | $7,454 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,490 | $80.04 | $118,445 | $9,870 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,430 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $77,091 take-home pay has the buying power of $73,279 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 1.5× the national concentration of physical therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #90 of 104 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McAllen, TX | $103,980 | $81,980 | $95,442 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $116,480 | $90,774 | $90,579 |
| 3 | El Paso, TX | $102,190 | $80,721 | $89,777 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $106,010 | $83,408 | $88,061 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $104,750 | $80,423 | $87,938 |
| 6 | Jackson, MS | $103,000 | $77,903 | $87,484 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $139,000 | $95,768 | $86,728 |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $100,000 | $79,180 | $85,898 |
| 90 | Boulder, CO | $102,430 | $77,091 | $73,279 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 104 metros →
Physical Therapist salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $97,900
- Denver, CO — $102,340
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Boulder, CO?
The median physical therapist salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $102,430 a year, or about $49.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $86,700 and $121,170.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $102,430 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $77,091 a year ($6,424 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,799 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $73,279 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #90 of 104 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- Registered Nurse — $103,290