Physical Therapist Salary in Tucson, AZ
Physical Therapists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $102,420 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,531 take-home, or $6,544 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,702
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,350
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,485
- Arizona income tax$2,352
- Take-home pay$78,531
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,410 | $38.66 | $63,597 | $5,300 |
| 25th percentile | $86,990 | $41.82 | $68,061 | $5,672 |
| Median (50th) | $102,420 | $49.24 | $78,531 | $6,544 |
| 75th percentile | $118,890 | $57.16 | $89,706 | $7,475 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,580 | $65.66 | $101,413 | $8,451 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,420 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $78,531 take-home pay has the buying power of $81,046 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 Tucson, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Tucson, AZ ranks #38 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 |
| 38 | Tucson, AZ | $102,420 | $78,531 | $81,046 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $103,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Tucson, AZ?
The median physical therapist salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $102,420 a year, or about $49.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $86,990 and $118,890.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $102,420 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $78,531 a year ($6,544 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,352 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $81,046 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #38 of 104 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $147,420
- Nurse Practitioner — $129,340
- Dental Hygienist — $96,740
- Registered Nurse — $94,110
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $83,290
- Respiratory Therapist — $78,320
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,940
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $61,720
- Medical Records Specialist — $49,300
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $48,920
- Pharmacy Technician — $47,310