Physical Therapist Salary in Tucson, AZ: $104,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Tucson, AZ earns a median $104,940/year (≈ $50.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $108,302 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for physical therapists in Tucson, Arizona is $104,940, slightly below the national median of $105,288. This field offers a broad salary range from $82,388 at the lower end to $139,940 at the highest tier, reflecting the diverse job opportunities available for physical therapists in the area. Data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) emphasizes the importance of local trends, particularly the rising cash-pay model in sports and orthopedic specialties, which is influencing higher compensation levels. As Tucson’s health care dynamics continue to evolve, the potential for increased earnings in specialized sectors is promising for both established professionals and newcomers to the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,388 | $39.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,940 | $50.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,815 | $58.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,940 | $67.29 |
Median Salary Position
0.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,552 (2026 est.). At $104,940, the local median is 0.33% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tucson Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Tucson median: $104,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $105,786 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.33% less |
Physical Therapists in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $104,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.33% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $105,786.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $104,940 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,302 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,480
2025 BLS Actual
$102,420
2026 Current Est.
$104,940
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,521 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 17.1% from $87,480 (2019) to $102,420 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,041 (22.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,388 – $89,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,130 – $104,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,940 – $121,815 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,815 – $139,940 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Tucson
The local job market is robust, with 660 physical therapists currently employed in Tucson, which supports a competitive atmosphere for securing higher-paying roles. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 96.896, indicating a slightly lower expense compared to national averages, thereby enhancing the effective purchasing power for those in the profession. Employers offering the highest compensation include outpatient orthopedic clinics like ATI and Athletico, as well as hospital inpatient rehab centers and skilled nursing facilities. The disparity in wages is often attributed to productivity expectations, board certification stipends related to OCS and SCS specialties, and the appeal of cash-pay practices versus traditional insurance models. For those looking to maximize their pay in Tucson, focusing on specialized certifications, demonstrating high productivity, or exploring opportunities within cash-pay clinics can yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Tucson, AZ in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Tucson?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $102,420 for physical therapistsin the Tucson metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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