Physical Therapist Salary in Colorado: $103,662 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $103,662/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,726 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Centennial ($103,277), Arvada ($102,568), Boulder ($102,430).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in Colorado is projected to be $103,662, slightly below the national median of $105,288, indicating a difference of 1.5%. The salary range across cities in Colorado shows significant variation, with Centennial offering the highest average salary at $105,818, while Loveland presents the lowest at $86,844. This gap of $18,974 can be attributed to factors such as demand for services, cost of living, and local healthcare infrastructure. Colorado requires physical therapists to pass a national examination and obtain state licensure, which aligns with nationwide practices. The state's scope of practice laws are consistent with national standards, allowing physical therapists to operate effectively within their field. Factors driving demand include an aging population, increased focus on preventive care, and a growing emphasis on rehabilitation services. The employment outlook for physical therapists in Colorado is positive, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate of 2.46% in job opportunities through 2026. Overall, with 4,779 physical therapists currently employed, the job market remains steady, and cities like Arvada, Boulder, Denver, and Grand Junction offer competitive salaries that reflect local economic conditions and healthcare needs.
Colorado Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $64,611 (lowest entry-level) to $170,586 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado physical therapists earn 1.54% less than the national median ($-1,626/year difference).
Colorado Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Colorado range from $79,485 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $141,496 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,662. The Colorado median is $1,626 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $49.84/hr. Approximately 4,779 physical therapists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,068
2025 BLS Actual
$101,173
2026 Current Est.
$103,662
2019–2027 Growth
+24.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,068 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,447 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,818 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,931 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,001 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,277 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,173 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,662 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,212 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 18.9% from $85,068 (2019) to $101,173 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,212 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,144 (24.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Loveland | $86,844 |
| Fort Collins | $88,976 |
| Golden | $94,466 |
| Evans | $95,052 |
| Louisville | $95,607 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo | $101,692 | 91.762 | $110,821 |
| Grand Junction | $104,673 | 95.476 | $109,633 |
| Greeley | $102,634 | 100.176 | $102,454 |
| Centennial | $105,818 | 105 | $100,779 |
| Arvada | $105,091 | 105 | $100,087 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,485 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,662 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $141,496 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centennial | $105,818 |
| 2 | Arvada | $105,091 |
| 3 | Boulder | $104,950 |
| 4 | Denver | $104,858 |
| 5 | Grand Junction | $104,673 |
| 6 | Thornton | $104,245 |
| 7 | Westminster | $103,209 |
| 8 | Lakewood | $102,711 |
| 9 | Greeley | $102,634 |
| 10 | Aurora | $102,555 |
| 11 | Parker | $101,734 |
| 12 | Pueblo | $101,692 |
| 13 | Erie | $101,550 |
| 14 | Windsor | $101,295 |
| 15 | Castle Rock | $101,099 |
| 16 | Broomfield | $101,068 |
| 17 | Longmont | $101,035 |
| 18 | Colorado Springs | $100,308 |
| 19 | Englewood | $100,260 |
| 20 | Commerce City | $99,563 |
| 21 | Lafayette | $99,328 |
| 22 | Wheat Ridge | $98,755 |
| 23 | Brighton | $97,831 |
| 24 | Littleton | $97,504 |
| 25 | Fountain | $97,449 |
| 26 | Northglenn | $97,353 |
| 27 | Steamboat Springs | $96,781 |
| 28 | Durango | $96,171 |
| 29 | Louisville | $95,607 |
| 30 | Evans | $95,052 |
| 31 | Golden | $94,466 |
| 32 | Fort Collins | $88,976 |
| 33 | Loveland | $86,844 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Colorado?
How does Colorado physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Colorado?
How many physical therapists are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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