Physical Therapist Pay

Portland vs West Linn: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Portland, OR and West Linn, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, OR
$108,864
$52.34/hr
West Linn, OR
$100,988
$48.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, ORWest Linn, OR
Median Salary$108,864$100,988
Hourly Rate$52.34$48.56
Entry Level (P10)$84,294$74,109
25th Percentile$95,431$88,449
75th Percentile$132,440$119,271
Top Earner (P90)$137,921$131,012
Total Employed1,8107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($108,864) and West Linn ($100,988) physical therapist salaries.PortlandWest LinnMedian Salary$108,864$100,988Entry Level (P10)$84,294$74,109Top Earner (P90)$137,921$131,012US Median $105,288

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to West Linn.

The salary gap between Portland and West Linn is $7,876 (7.80%). Portland's median is +3.40% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $53,627,West Linn spans $56,903. West Linn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$84,294
P25$95,431
Median$108,864
P75$132,440
P90 (Top)$137,921
West Linn
P10 (Entry)$74,109
P25$88,449
Median$100,988
P75$119,271
P90 (Top)$131,012

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($103,266 effective) pays 4.91% more than West Linn ($98,429 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $108,864
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $103,266
West Linn
Nominal: $100,988
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $98,429

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,864/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,921)
  • Larger job market (1,810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,266)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose West Linn if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Portland grew 20.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.2% growth in West Linn over the same period.

Portland, OR

+20.4%

$88,260 (2019) → $106,250 (2025)

West Linn, OR

+1.2%

$97,442 (2024) → $98,563 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Portland or West Linn?

Portland has a higher median physical therapist salary at $108,864/year, compared to West Linn at $100,988/year — a difference of $7,876 (7.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and West Linn?

Portland physical therapists earn $52.34/hr while West Linn hygienists earn $48.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to West Linn as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and West Linn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $103,266, West Linn = $98,429), job availability (1,810 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Portland vs West Linn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $84,294 in Portland and $74,109 in West Linn. The Portland 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