Physical Therapist Pay

Murray vs Salt Lake City: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Murray, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Murray, UT
$106,841
$51.36/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$106,394
$51.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMurray, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$106,841$106,394
Hourly Rate$51.36$51.15
Entry Level (P10)$77,038$63,617
25th Percentile$86,408$84,755
75th Percentile$128,695$115,749
Top Earner (P90)$144,260$139,305
Total Employed71,040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Murray ($106,841) and Salt Lake City ($106,394) physical therapist salaries.MurraySalt Lake CityMedian Salary$106,841$106,394Entry Level (P10)$77,038$63,617Top Earner (P90)$144,260$139,305US Median $105,288

Verdict

Murray, UT offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salt Lake City.

The salary gap between Murray and Salt Lake City is $447 (0.42%). Murray's median is +1.48% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Murray spans $67,222,Salt Lake City spans $75,688. Salt Lake City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Murray
P10 (Entry)$77,038
P25$86,408
Median$106,841
P75$128,695
P90 (Top)$144,260
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$63,617
P25$84,755
Median$106,394
P75$115,749
P90 (Top)$139,305

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murray ($108,910 effective) pays 3.25% more than Salt Lake City ($105,478 effective).

Murray
Nominal: $106,841
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $108,910
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $106,394
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $105,478

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Murray if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,841/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($144,260)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,910)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Larger job market (1,040 employed)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Murray grew 24.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.7% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Murray, UT

+24.3%

$83,873 (2024) → $104,276 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+33.7%

$77,680 (2019) → $103,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Murray or Salt Lake City?

Murray has a higher median physical therapist salary at $106,841/year, compared to Salt Lake City at $106,394/year — a difference of $447 (0.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Murray and Salt Lake City?

Murray physical therapists earn $51.36/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $51.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Murray to Salt Lake City as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Murray and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Murray = $108,910, Salt Lake City = $105,478), job availability (7 vs 1,040 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Murray vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $77,038 in Murray and $63,617 in Salt Lake City. The Murray area offers higher starting salaries.
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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