Physical Therapist Pay

Goodyear vs Tucson: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Goodyear, AZ
$105,368
$50.66/hr
Tucson, AZ
$104,940
$50.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGoodyear, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$105,368$104,940
Hourly Rate$50.66$50.45
Entry Level (P10)$75,907$82,388
25th Percentile$85,489$89,130
75th Percentile$123,177$121,815
Top Earner (P90)$142,726$139,940
Total Employed15660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Goodyear ($105,368) and Tucson ($104,940) physical therapist salaries.GoodyearTucsonMedian Salary$105,368$104,940Entry Level (P10)$75,907$82,388Top Earner (P90)$142,726$139,940US Median $105,288

Verdict

Goodyear, AZ offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between Goodyear and Tucson is $428 (0.41%). Goodyear's median is +0.08% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Goodyear spans $66,819,Tucson spans $57,552. Goodyear has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Goodyear
P10 (Entry)$75,907
P25$85,489
Median$105,368
P75$123,177
P90 (Top)$142,726
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 1.24% more than Goodyear ($106,973 effective).

Goodyear
Nominal: $105,368
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $106,973
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 Goodyear if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,368/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($142,726)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • 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 Goodyear grew 10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Goodyear, AZ

+10.3%

$93,228 (2024) → $102,838 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+17.1%

$87,480 (2019) → $102,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Goodyear or Tucson?

Goodyear has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,368/year, compared to Tucson at $104,940/year — a difference of $428 (0.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Goodyear and Tucson?

Goodyear physical therapists earn $50.66/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $50.45/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Goodyear and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Goodyear = $106,973, Tucson = $108,302), job availability (15 vs 660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $75,907 in Goodyear 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