Physical Therapist Salary by city is one of the most-searched cost topics in the US, and for good reason — prices swing wildly depending on your zip code. Average annual salary for licensed physical therapists. The data below compares pricing across 301 American cities using BLS and Census Bureau figures. Whether you're in Conway (our most affordable market) or San Francisco (the priciest), you'll find detailed numbers to help you budget accurately.
Physical Therapist Salary pay averages about $85,000/yr nationally. In this city dataset, San Francisco, CA has the highest modeled pay at $216,325/yr, while Conway, AR is lowest at $50,022/yr.
This hub is designed to route readers from the national answer into city-specific pages, where local rent, wages, insurance, taxes, and market conditions explain the real decision difference.
Reported as $/yr.
$216,325/yr modeled pay.
$50,022/yr modeled pay.
332% gap between the highest and lowest city values in this topic set.
Why Physical Therapist Salary Vary by City
Industry concentration — tech hubs, healthcare centers, and manufacturing regions each have different pay scales
State income tax rates that affect take-home pay negotiations
Remote work availability — roles that can be done remotely are converging on national rates, while on-site roles retain geographic premiums
Cost-of-living adjustments baked into compensation packages
Employer competition for talent in specialized industries
How to Use This Guide
- Start with the national average, then check the city page because physical therapist salary can move sharply by local market.
- Compare pay against rent and taxes before treating one city as the best option.
- Use the related city links and comparison pages to connect this topic to full cost-of-living decisions.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities for Physical Therapist Salary
Compare Physical Therapist Salary Across 301 Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does physical therapist salary pay on average?
The national average for physical therapist salary ranges from $65,000 to $105,000. However, actual costs vary significantly by city — Conway is the most affordable at $50,022, while San Francisco is the most expensive at $216,325. That's a spread of $166,303 between the cheapest and most expensive cities.
Where is physical therapist salary cheapest in the US?
The top 5 most affordable cities for physical therapist salary are: 1. Conway, AR ($50,022); 2. Macon, GA ($50,256); 3. Baton Rouge, LA ($50,490); 4. Laredo, TX ($50,533); 5. Oshkosh, WI ($51,255). These cities benefit from lower labor costs, less regulatory overhead, and more competitive local markets.
Why does physical therapist salary cost more in some cities?
Several factors drive cost differences: local labor rates (often tied to housing costs), state and city regulations, material transportation costs, competitive density of service providers, and regional demand patterns. High cost-of-living cities like San Francisco (index: 244) have higher baseline expenses that push up service costs across the board.
About This Data
Limitations: These are estimated ranges based on federal datasets and cost indices, not direct local surveys. Actual costs may vary based on project scope, provider, timing, and local market conditions. Data last updated: May 2026.