Physical Therapist Pay

Fall River vs Worcester: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Fall River, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fall River, MA
$105,972
$50.95/hr
Worcester, MA
$106,343
$51.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFall River, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$105,972$106,343
Hourly Rate$50.95$51.13
Entry Level (P10)$83,587$83,700
25th Percentile$91,168$97,368
75th Percentile$126,834$122,716
Top Earner (P90)$141,323$128,639
Total Employed21750
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fall River ($105,972) and Worcester ($106,343) physical therapist salaries.Fall RiverWorcesterMedian Salary$105,972$106,343Entry Level (P10)$83,587$83,700Top Earner (P90)$141,323$128,639US Median $105,288

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fall River.

The salary gap between Fall River and Worcester is $371 (0.35%). Worcester's median is +1.00% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fall River spans $57,736,Worcester spans $44,939. Fall River has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fall River
P10 (Entry)$83,587
P25$91,168
Median$105,972
P75$126,834
P90 (Top)$141,323
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$83,700
P25$97,368
Median$106,343
P75$122,716
P90 (Top)$128,639

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($103,726 effective) pays 6.20% more than Fall River ($97,670 effective).

Fall River
Nominal: $105,972
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $97,670
Worcester
Nominal: $106,343
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $103,726

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fall River if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($141,323)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,343/year)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,726)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Fall River grew -3.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.3% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Fall River, MA

+-3.4%

$107,110 (2024) → $103,428 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+18.3%

$87,730 (2019) → $103,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Fall River or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median physical therapist salary at $106,343/year, compared to Fall River at $105,972/year — a difference of $371 (0.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fall River and Worcester?

Fall River physical therapists earn $50.95/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $51.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fall River to Worcester as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fall River and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fall River = $97,670, Worcester = $103,726), job availability (21 vs 750 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Fall River vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $83,587 in Fall River and $83,700 in Worcester. The Worcester 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