Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Camas, WA: $81,246 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Camas, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,246 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Camas's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,648 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,316) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapy field in Camas, Washington, can expect a starting physical therapist salary around $81,246 in 2026. While this figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum, it shows a promising trajectory of growth as new therapists gain experience. For those working towards the median salary in Camas, which is projected at $104,316, this gap of approximately $23,000 denotes a significant potential for salary advancement over the first few years of practice. Considering that the first three to five years can witness salary progression to around $88,720, new grads can find Camas to be a reasonably supportive market for launching their careers, given the upward trend in entry-level salaries in this locality.
About the Camas Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($99,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Camas
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camas
Entry-level physical therapists in Camas, WA typically start between $81,246 and $88,720 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $53,824 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,316 — 0.92% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Washington of $130,000 represents just 160.01% of the starting physical therapist pay ($81,246/year) in Camas. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Camas
- 1Research the Camas market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $81,246 to $88,720, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Camas, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Camas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Camas's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Camas is $53,824 ( 66.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,246, experienced hygienists can earn up to $135,070.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,855
2025 BLS Actual
$79,295
2026 Current Est.
$81,246
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Camas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,855 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,305 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,807 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,279 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,295 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,246 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,244 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Camas, WA grew 24.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,855 in 2019 to $79,295 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,244. New graduates entering the Camas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Camas
In Camas, a variety of employers actively recruit entry-level physical therapists, with outpatient orthopedic facilities often being the most common starting point for new graduates. Leading chains such as ATI and Select Medical typically start new DPT grads at competitive wages, frequently offering productivity-based bonuses that can enhance earnings. Alternatively, opportunities in hospital systems may provide additional benefits through residency programs, which promote further certification and professional development. For those looking to maximize their starting pay, a DPT from a CAPTE-accredited program and successful completion of the national NPTE exam are essential, while optional certifications in specialized areas can further enhance job prospects. Given the industry's recent trends, new graduates should be strategic in their early years, considering the pressures from reimbursement expectations in outpatient settings and the emphasis on productivity. With a growth mindset, there are realistic pathways to salary advancement that meet or exceed state averages in the dynamic field of physical therapy in Washington.
More salary data for Camas, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Camas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Camas is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov