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.
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 #100 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 |
| 100 | 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 104 metros →
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 #100 of 104 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
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,140
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $223,250
- Nurse Anesthetist — $223,150
- Physicians, All Other — $208,710
- Dentists, General — $184,540
- Pediatricians, General — $172,520
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $166,230
- Optometrist — $154,690
- Veterinarian — $154,350
- Pharmacist — $150,540