Physical Therapist Pay

Florence vs Tucson: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Florence, AZ
$103,239
$49.63/hr
Tucson, AZ
$104,940
$50.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$103,239$104,940
Hourly Rate$49.63$50.45
Entry Level (P10)$77,110$82,388
25th Percentile$85,047$89,130
75th Percentile$118,865$121,815
Top Earner (P90)$135,646$139,940
Total Employed5660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($103,239) and Tucson ($104,940) physical therapist salaries.FlorenceTucsonMedian Salary$103,239$104,940Entry Level (P10)$77,110$82,388Top Earner (P90)$135,646$139,940US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Florence and Tucson is $1,701 (1.65%). 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 Florence spans $58,536,Tucson spans $57,552. 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
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 3.33% more than Florence ($104,811 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $103,239
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $104,811
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 Florence 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 Florence grew 10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Florence, AZ

+10.3%

$91,345 (2024) → $100,760 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+17.1%

$87,480 (2019) → $102,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Florence or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median physical therapist salary at $104,940/year, compared to Florence at $103,239/year — a difference of $1,701 (1.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Tucson?

Florence physical therapists earn $49.63/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $50.45/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $104,811, Tucson = $108,302), job availability (5 vs 660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $77,110 in Florence 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