Physical Therapist Pay

Boston vs Amherst Town: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Boston, MA and Amherst Town, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$106,097
$51.00/hr
Amherst Town, MA
$113,341
$54.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAAmherst Town, MA
Median Salary$106,097$113,341
Hourly Rate$51.00$54.49
Entry Level (P10)$83,218$84,991
25th Percentile$97,081$97,808
75th Percentile$125,391$113,341
Top Earner (P90)$133,423$128,300
Total Employed5,330100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($106,097) and Amherst Town ($113,341) physical therapist salaries.BostonAmherst TownMedian Salary$106,097$113,341Entry Level (P10)$83,218$84,991Top Earner (P90)$133,423$128,300US Median $105,288

Verdict

Boston and Amherst Town are closely matched on overall physical therapist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Boston and Amherst Town is $7,244 (6.83%). Amherst Town's median is +7.65% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $50,205,Amherst Town spans $43,309. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$83,218
P25$97,081
Median$106,097
P75$125,391
P90 (Top)$133,423
Amherst Town
P10 (Entry)$84,991
P25$97,808
Median$113,341
P75$113,341
P90 (Top)$128,300

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Amherst Town ($113,066 effective) pays 15.38% more than Boston ($97,997 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $106,097
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $97,997
Amherst Town
Nominal: $113,341
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $113,066

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($133,423)
  • Larger job market (5,330 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Amherst Town if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,341/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,066)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Boston grew 13.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.5% growth in Amherst Town over the same period.

Boston, MA

+13.3%

$91,380 (2019) → $103,550 (2025)

Amherst Town, MA

+3.5%

$106,840 (2024) → $110,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Boston or Amherst Town?

Amherst Town has a higher median physical therapist salary at $113,341/year, compared to Boston at $106,097/year — a difference of $7,244 (6.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Amherst Town?

Boston physical therapists earn $51.00/hr while Amherst Town hygienists earn $54.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Amherst Town as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Amherst Town. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $97,997, Amherst Town = $113,066), job availability (5,330 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Boston vs Amherst Town?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $83,218 in Boston and $84,991 in Amherst Town. The Amherst Town area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov