Physical Therapist Pay

Florence vs Phoenix: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Florence, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florence, AZ
$103,239
$49.63/hr
Phoenix, AZ
$105,759
$50.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, AZPhoenix, AZ
Median Salary$103,239$105,759
Hourly Rate$49.63$50.85
Entry Level (P10)$77,110$84,878
25th Percentile$85,047$92,398
75th Percentile$118,865$125,370
Top Earner (P90)$135,646$137,716
Total Employed53,760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($103,239) and Phoenix ($105,759) physical therapist salaries.FlorencePhoenixMedian Salary$103,239$105,759Entry Level (P10)$77,110$84,878Top Earner (P90)$135,646$137,716US Median $105,288

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Florence and Phoenix is $2,520 (2.44%). Phoenix's median is +0.45% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $58,536,Phoenix spans $52,838. Florence has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$77,110
P25$85,047
Median$103,239
P75$118,865
P90 (Top)$135,646
Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$84,878
P25$92,398
Median$105,759
P75$125,370
P90 (Top)$137,716

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Florence ($104,811 effective) pays 2.39% more than Phoenix ($102,365 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $103,239
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $104,811
Phoenix
Nominal: $105,759
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $102,365

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,811)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,759/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,716)
  • Larger job market (3,760 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Florence grew 10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.8% growth in Phoenix over the same period.

Florence, AZ

+10.3%

$91,345 (2024) → $100,760 (2025)

Phoenix, AZ

+15.8%

$89,150 (2019) → $103,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Florence or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,759/year, compared to Florence at $103,239/year — a difference of $2,520 (2.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Phoenix?

Florence physical therapists earn $49.63/hr while Phoenix hygienists earn $50.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Phoenix as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Phoenix. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $104,811, Phoenix = $102,365), job availability (5 vs 3,760 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Florence vs Phoenix?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $77,110 in Florence and $84,878 in Phoenix. The Phoenix 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