Physical Therapist Pay

Roanoke vs Springfield: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Roanoke, VA
$101,200
$48.66/hr
Springfield, VA
$101,002
$48.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VASpringfield, VA
Median Salary$101,200$101,002
Hourly Rate$48.66$48.56
Entry Level (P10)$68,935$81,451
25th Percentile$83,986$87,644
75th Percentile$115,677$118,419
Top Earner (P90)$124,376$129,980
Total Employed2708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($101,200) and Springfield ($101,002) physical therapist salaries.RoanokeSpringfieldMedian Salary$101,200$101,002Entry Level (P10)$68,935$81,451Top Earner (P90)$124,376$129,980US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Roanoke and Springfield is $198 (0.20%). Roanoke's median is -3.88% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $55,441,Springfield spans $48,529. Roanoke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$68,935
P25$83,986
Median$101,200
P75$115,677
P90 (Top)$124,376
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$81,451
P25$87,644
Median$101,002
P75$118,419
P90 (Top)$129,980

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($108,099 effective) pays 10.45% more than Springfield ($97,870 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $101,200
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $108,099
Springfield
Nominal: $101,002
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $97,870

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,200/year)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,099)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($129,980)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Roanoke grew 9.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.4% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+9.6%

$90,080 (2019) → $98,770 (2025)

Springfield, VA

+4.4%

$94,380 (2024) → $98,577 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Roanoke or Springfield?

Roanoke has a higher median physical therapist salary at $101,200/year, compared to Springfield at $101,002/year — a difference of $198 (0.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Springfield?

Roanoke physical therapists earn $48.66/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $48.56/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $108,099, Springfield = $97,870), job availability (270 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $68,935 in Roanoke and $81,451 in Springfield. The Springfield 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