Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Seattle, WA: $66,384 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Seattle, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,384 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Seattle's local price level (BEA RPP 111.1 — 11% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,734 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,929) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Aspiring physical therapists entering the field in Seattle can expect a starting salary of around $66,384 in 2026, which positions them below the city’s overall median salary for physical therapists of $109,929. For new graduates, this gap highlights the reality of initial pay, yet it also suggests a promising growth trajectory within the first few years. Entry-level practitioners can aim to progress toward the 25th percentile at $97,398, making the Seattle market seem quite favorable for early-career professionals given its competitive salaries. With a 2.46% annual growth rate expected over the next five years, recent graduates in Washington have the potential to see substantial increases as they gain experience and expertise in their roles.
Career Earnings Timeline in Seattle
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 Seattle
Entry-level physical therapists in Seattle, WA typically start between $66,384 and $97,398 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $82,142 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,929 — 4.41% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Washington of $130,000 represents just 195.83% of the starting physical therapist pay ($66,384/year) in Seattle. 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 Seattle
- 1Research the Seattle market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $66,384 to $97,398, 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 Seattle, 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 Seattle for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Seattle's above-average cost of living (index: 111.133) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Seattle is $82,142 ( 123.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,384, experienced hygienists can earn up to $148,526.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,340
2025 BLS Actual
$64,790
2026 Current Est.
$66,384
2019–2027 Growth
+1.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,384 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,017 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Seattle, WA grew -3.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,340 in 2019 to $64,790 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,017. New graduates entering the Seattle job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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 Seattle
New graduates in Seattle have various opportunities, particularly among outpatient orthopedic providers like ATI and Select Medical, which often hire new DPT graduates and offer pathways towards productivity bonuses. Hospital systems typically provide residency programs that can lead to valuable board certifications, while skilled nursing facilities such as Genesis and RehabCare may offer superior starting pays. To optimize entry level physical therapist salary Seattle, graduates should ensure they possess a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the NPTE, and secure their state license. APTA membership can further augment career strategies. With the right credentials and ongoing education, early-career therapists can anticipate a realistic salary growth within the first three years, moving toward higher compensation as they adapt to the expectations of productivity and reimbursement trends in their practice environments.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Seattle?
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Related Pages
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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 Seattle. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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