Physical Therapist Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Physical Therapists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $105,790 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $80,006 take-home, or $6,667 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,444
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,559
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,534
- Pennsylvania income tax$3,248
- Take-home pay$80,006
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
Living in Philadelphia? City residents also pay Philadelphia’s Resident Wage Tax — about $3,957 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $76,049 ($6,337 a month). Choose “Philadelphia” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. 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 Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,240 | $38.58 | $62,815 | $5,235 |
| 25th percentile | $95,700 | $46.01 | $73,217 | $6,101 |
| Median (50th) | $105,790 | $50.86 | $80,006 | $6,667 |
| 75th percentile | $120,550 | $57.96 | $89,936 | $7,495 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,760 | $63.35 | $97,279 | $8,107 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $105,790 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $80,006 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,013 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Philadelphia, PA has 1.3× 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
Philadelphia, PA ranks #8 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 |
*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 Philadelphia, PA?
The median physical therapist salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $105,790 a year, or about $50.86 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $95,700 and $120,550.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $105,790 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $80,006 a year ($6,667 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,248 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,013 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #8 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $163,390
- Pharmacist — $148,740
- Nurse Practitioner — $135,700
- Physician Assistant — $135,640
- Occupational Therapist — $103,140
- Registered Nurse — $101,180
- Dental Hygienist — $100,820
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $100,080
- Respiratory Therapist — $88,790
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,190
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $70,710