Physical Therapist Pay

Cincinnati vs Youngstown: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Youngstown, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$105,421
$50.69/hr
Youngstown, OH
$99,601
$47.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHYoungstown, OH
Median Salary$105,421$99,601
Hourly Rate$50.69$47.89
Entry Level (P10)$82,163$75,523
25th Percentile$86,794$79,273
75th Percentile$115,821$105,022
Top Earner (P90)$128,895$121,579
Total Employed2,090350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($105,421) and Youngstown ($99,601) physical therapist salaries.CincinnatiYoungstownMedian Salary$105,421$99,601Entry Level (P10)$82,163$75,523Top Earner (P90)$128,895$121,579US Median $105,288

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Youngstown.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Youngstown is $5,820 (5.84%). Cincinnati's median is +0.13% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $46,732,Youngstown spans $46,056. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$82,163
P25$86,794
Median$105,421
P75$115,821
P90 (Top)$128,895
Youngstown
P10 (Entry)$75,523
P25$79,273
Median$99,601
P75$105,022
P90 (Top)$121,579

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Youngstown ($113,968 effective) pays 3.10% more than Cincinnati ($110,539 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $105,421
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $110,539
Youngstown
Nominal: $99,601
CoL Index: 87.394
Adjusted: $113,968

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,421/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,895)
  • Larger job market (2,090 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Youngstown if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,968)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Cincinnati grew 14.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Youngstown over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+14.8%

$89,610 (2019) → $102,890 (2025)

Youngstown, OH

+20.4%

$80,730 (2019) → $97,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Cincinnati or Youngstown?

Cincinnati has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,421/year, compared to Youngstown at $99,601/year — a difference of $5,820 (5.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Youngstown?

Cincinnati physical therapists earn $50.69/hr while Youngstown hygienists earn $47.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Youngstown as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Youngstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $110,539, Youngstown = $113,968), job availability (2,090 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Cincinnati vs Youngstown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $82,163 in Cincinnati and $75,523 in Youngstown. The Cincinnati 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