Physical Therapist Pay

Leesburg vs Richmond: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Leesburg, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Leesburg, VA
$101,581
$48.83/hr
Richmond, VA
$105,226
$50.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLeesburg, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$101,581$105,226
Hourly Rate$48.83$50.58
Entry Level (P10)$76,690$79,786
25th Percentile$85,049$85,954
75th Percentile$119,160$121,282
Top Earner (P90)$131,826$128,987
Total Employed141,300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Leesburg ($101,581) and Richmond ($105,226) physical therapist salaries.LeesburgRichmondMedian Salary$101,581$105,226Entry Level (P10)$76,690$79,786Top Earner (P90)$131,826$128,987US Median $105,288

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Leesburg.

The salary gap between Leesburg and Richmond is $3,645 (3.59%). Richmond's median is -0.06% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Leesburg spans $55,136,Richmond spans $49,201. Leesburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Leesburg
P10 (Entry)$76,690
P25$85,049
Median$101,581
P75$119,160
P90 (Top)$131,826
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$79,786
P25$85,954
Median$105,226
P75$121,282
P90 (Top)$128,987

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($107,529 effective) pays 9.24% more than Leesburg ($98,431 effective).

Leesburg
Nominal: $101,581
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $98,431
Richmond
Nominal: $105,226
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $107,529

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Leesburg if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($131,826)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,226/year)
  • Larger job market (1,300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,529)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Leesburg grew 4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.0% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Leesburg, VA

+4.4%

$94,920 (2024) → $99,142 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+6.0%

$96,930 (2019) → $102,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Leesburg or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,226/year, compared to Leesburg at $101,581/year — a difference of $3,645 (3.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Leesburg and Richmond?

Leesburg physical therapists earn $48.83/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $50.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Leesburg to Richmond as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Leesburg and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Leesburg = $98,431, Richmond = $107,529), job availability (14 vs 1,300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Leesburg vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $76,690 in Leesburg and $79,786 in Richmond. The Richmond 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