Physical Therapist Pay

Coos Bay vs Portland: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Coos Bay, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coos Bay, OR
$98,578
$47.40/hr
Portland, OR
$108,864
$52.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoos Bay, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$98,578$108,864
Hourly Rate$47.40$52.34
Entry Level (P10)$75,979$84,294
25th Percentile$86,368$95,431
75th Percentile$115,372$132,440
Top Earner (P90)$125,517$137,921
Total Employed41,810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coos Bay ($98,578) and Portland ($108,864) physical therapist salaries.Coos BayPortlandMedian Salary$98,578$108,864Entry Level (P10)$75,979$84,294Top Earner (P90)$125,517$137,921US Median $105,288

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Coos Bay.

The salary gap between Coos Bay and Portland is $10,286 (10.43%). Portland's median is +3.40% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coos Bay spans $49,538,Portland spans $53,627. Portland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Coos Bay
P10 (Entry)$75,979
P25$86,368
Median$98,578
P75$115,372
P90 (Top)$125,517
Portland
P10 (Entry)$84,294
P25$95,431
Median$108,864
P75$132,440
P90 (Top)$137,921

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($103,266 effective) pays 7.48% more than Coos Bay ($96,080 effective).

Coos Bay
Nominal: $98,578
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $96,080
Portland
Nominal: $108,864
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $103,266

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coos Bay if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,864/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,921)
  • Larger job market (1,810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,266)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Coos Bay grew 1.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Portland over the same period.

Coos Bay, OR

+1.2%

$95,116 (2024) → $96,211 (2025)

Portland, OR

+20.4%

$88,260 (2019) → $106,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Coos Bay or Portland?

Portland has a higher median physical therapist salary at $108,864/year, compared to Coos Bay at $98,578/year — a difference of $10,286 (10.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coos Bay and Portland?

Coos Bay physical therapists earn $47.40/hr while Portland hygienists earn $52.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coos Bay to Portland as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coos Bay and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coos Bay = $96,080, Portland = $103,266), job availability (4 vs 1,810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Coos Bay vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $75,979 in Coos Bay and $84,294 in Portland. The Portland area offers higher starting salaries.
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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