Physical Therapist Pay

Pullman vs Seattle: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Pullman, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pullman, WA
$105,501
$50.72/hr
Seattle, WA
$109,929
$52.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPullman, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$105,501$109,929
Hourly Rate$50.72$52.85
Entry Level (P10)$84,550$66,384
25th Percentile$91,158$97,398
75th Percentile$125,589$136,344
Top Earner (P90)$138,880$148,526
Total Employed62,950
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pullman ($105,501) and Seattle ($109,929) physical therapist salaries.PullmanSeattleMedian Salary$105,501$109,929Entry Level (P10)$84,550$66,384Top Earner (P90)$138,880$148,526US Median $105,288

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pullman.

The salary gap between Pullman and Seattle is $4,428 (4.20%). Seattle's median is +4.41% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pullman spans $54,330,Seattle spans $82,142. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Pullman
P10 (Entry)$84,550
P25$91,158
Median$105,501
P75$125,589
P90 (Top)$138,880
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$66,384
P25$97,398
Median$109,929
P75$136,344
P90 (Top)$148,526

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($98,917 effective) pays 0.70% more than Pullman ($98,232 effective).

Pullman
Nominal: $105,501
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $98,232
Seattle
Nominal: $109,929
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $98,917

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pullman if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($109,929/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($148,526)
  • Larger job market (2,950 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,917)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Pullman grew 0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.7% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Pullman, WA

+0.9%

$102,043 (2024) → $102,968 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+18.7%

$90,360 (2019) → $107,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Pullman or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median physical therapist salary at $109,929/year, compared to Pullman at $105,501/year — a difference of $4,428 (4.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pullman and Seattle?

Pullman physical therapists earn $50.72/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $52.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pullman to Seattle as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pullman and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pullman = $98,232, Seattle = $98,917), job availability (6 vs 2,950 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Pullman vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $84,550 in Pullman and $66,384 in Seattle. The Pullman 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