Physical Therapist Pay

Medford vs Springfield: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Medford, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Medford, MA
$106,074
$50.99/hr
Springfield, MA
$106,118
$51.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMedford, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$106,074$106,118
Hourly Rate$50.99$51.01
Entry Level (P10)$83,830$79,488
25th Percentile$91,377$90,278
75th Percentile$123,036$119,940
Top Earner (P90)$141,662$131,948
Total Employed11390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Medford ($106,074) and Springfield ($106,118) physical therapist salaries.MedfordSpringfieldMedian Salary$106,074$106,118Entry Level (P10)$83,830$79,488Top Earner (P90)$141,662$131,948US Median $105,288

Verdict

Springfield, MA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Medford.

The salary gap between Medford and Springfield is $44 (0.04%). Springfield's median is +0.79% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Medford spans $57,832,Springfield spans $52,460. Medford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Medford
P10 (Entry)$83,830
P25$91,377
Median$106,074
P75$123,036
P90 (Top)$141,662
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$79,488
P25$90,278
Median$106,118
P75$119,940
P90 (Top)$131,948

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($110,469 effective) pays 13.00% more than Medford ($97,764 effective).

Medford
Nominal: $106,074
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $97,764
Springfield
Nominal: $106,118
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $110,469

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Medford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($141,662)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,118/year)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,469)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Medford grew -3.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.6% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Medford, MA

+-3.4%

$107,213 (2024) → $103,527 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+15.6%

$89,620 (2019) → $103,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Medford or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median physical therapist salary at $106,118/year, compared to Medford at $106,074/year — a difference of $44 (0.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Medford and Springfield?

Medford physical therapists earn $50.99/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $51.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Medford to Springfield as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Medford and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Medford = $97,764, Springfield = $110,469), job availability (11 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Medford vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $83,830 in Medford and $79,488 in Springfield. The Medford area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

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