Physical Therapist Pay

Casa Grande vs Tucson: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Casa Grande, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casa Grande, AZ
$103,014
$49.53/hr
Tucson, AZ
$104,940
$50.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasa Grande, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$103,014$104,940
Hourly Rate$49.53$50.45
Entry Level (P10)$76,164$82,388
25th Percentile$84,726$89,130
75th Percentile$121,732$121,815
Top Earner (P90)$134,642$139,940
Total Employed12660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casa Grande ($103,014) and Tucson ($104,940) physical therapist salaries.Casa GrandeTucsonMedian Salary$103,014$104,940Entry Level (P10)$76,164$82,388Top Earner (P90)$134,642$139,940US Median $105,288

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Casa Grande.

The salary gap between Casa Grande and Tucson is $1,926 (1.87%). Tucson's median is -0.33% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casa Grande spans $58,478,Tucson spans $57,552. Casa Grande has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Casa Grande
P10 (Entry)$76,164
P25$84,726
Median$103,014
P75$121,732
P90 (Top)$134,642
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$82,388
P25$89,130
Median$104,940
P75$121,815
P90 (Top)$139,940

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($108,302 effective) pays 3.56% more than Casa Grande ($104,583 effective).

Casa Grande
Nominal: $103,014
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $104,583
Tucson
Nominal: $104,940
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $108,302

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casa Grande if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,940/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,940)
  • Larger job market (660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,302)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Casa Grande grew 10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Casa Grande, AZ

+10.3%

$91,146 (2024) → $100,541 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+17.1%

$87,480 (2019) → $102,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Casa Grande or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median physical therapist salary at $104,940/year, compared to Casa Grande at $103,014/year — a difference of $1,926 (1.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casa Grande and Tucson?

Casa Grande physical therapists earn $49.53/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $50.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Casa Grande to Tucson as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casa Grande and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casa Grande = $104,583, Tucson = $108,302), job availability (12 vs 660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Casa Grande vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $76,164 in Casa Grande and $82,388 in Tucson. The Tucson 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