Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in SeaTac, WA: $51.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in SeaTac, WA runs $51.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,719 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against SeaTac's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,626 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In SeaTac, Washington, physical therapists are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $51.78 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $50.62. This competitive hourly pay reflects the variety of settings where physical therapists typically practice, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this means earning approximately $62,000 annually, while per-diem therapists, who often earn between $50 and $75 per hour, have the flexibility to maximize their working hours based on demand. Hourly rates in SeaTac range from $38.79 for entry-level positions to $68.43 for top earners, demonstrating a robust pay scale that can accommodate different experience levels and specializations within the field.
About the SeaTac Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($99,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.79 | $310.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.90 | $343.20 |
| Median (P50) | $51.78 | $414.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.74 | $469.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.43 | $547.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in SeaTac
Based on $51.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.78/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in SeaTac, WA can expect to earn approximately $107,709 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,140. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in SeaTac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in SeaTac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,071.33 | $8,976 | $107,709 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,242.80 | $5,385 | $64,626 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $828.53 | $3,590 | $43,084 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (SeaTac) | $51.78 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in SeaTac, WA earn a median of $107,719 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.31% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $109,918.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.78/hr = $64,626/year (purchasing power: $60,173).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,709/year (purchasing power: $100,288).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in SeaTac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in SeaTac grew 14.9% from $43.99/hr (2019) to $50.54/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.06/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the SeaTac 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in SeaTac
Part-time physical therapists in SeaTac may find their earnings conducive to a balanced lifestyle. A therapist working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $62,000 a year, appealing for those aiming for a flexible schedule without sacrificing financial stability. For per-diem physical therapists, the variability of per diem contracts and agency roles offers significant earning potential, often charging $50 to $75 per hour, and travel contracts can yield even higher weekly pay—between $1,800 and $2,800, including stipends. In the competitive hourly environment of SeaTac, salary differences also arise depending on employer types; outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospital settings, and skilled nursing facilities each present distinct compensation models. Therapists may choose to accept lower hourly pay for the benefits of health insurance in a full-time role, or they might opt for higher pay without benefits as a self-employed contractor. For those negotiating physical therapist hourly pay in SeaTac, it's always beneficial to assess not just immediate earnings but also the longer-term stability and benefits offered by potential employers.
More salary data for SeaTac, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in SeaTac in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in SeaTac. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for SeaTac 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