Physical Therapist Salary in Aurora, CO: $102,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Aurora, CO earns a median $102,555/year (≈ $49.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $97,671 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Colorado, the anticipated physical therapist salary in 2026 is $102,555, reflecting local productivity expectations and the competitive demands that affect earnings. The salary range spans from $74,151 at the bottom 10% to $139,763 for those at the top 90%. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data alongside regional price adjustments, marking a slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $105,288 for the same year. Workers in this field face pressures related to visits-per-day targets, influencing not just their income but also how they approach their practice in various settings throughout Aurora.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,151 | $35.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,805 | $40.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,555 | $49.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,284 | $59.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,763 | $67.19 |
Median Salary Position
2.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, CO, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,612 (2026 est.). At $102,555, the local median is 2.6% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Aurora median: $102,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $102,658 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.60% less |
Physical Therapists in Aurora, CO earn a median of $102,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.60% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.10% below the Colorado state average of $102,658.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,555 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,671 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$87,119
2025 BLS Actual
$100,093
2026 Current Est.
$102,555
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,119 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,648 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,138 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,184 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,122 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,281 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,093 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,078 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $87,119 (2019) to $100,093 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,078 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,959 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $74,151 – $83,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,805 – $102,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,555 – $123,284 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,284 – $139,763 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Aurora
With 54 physical therapists working in the local market, Aurora's job landscape offers a foundation for growth within the healthcare sector. The cost of living index stands at 105, which indicates that while salaries may seem appealing, take-home purchasing power is slightly constrained compared to national averages. Clinics specializing in outpatient orthopedic care, such as chain providers like ATI and Athletico, often pay less than hospital systems; however, they may offer productivity bonuses that can enhance earnings. Variations in pay can also result from factors like board certifications, clinic ownership, and the structures of insurance versus cash-pay models. To optimize earnings in the Aurora job market, professionals should consider obtaining board specialization, staying updated on productivity trends, and exploring roles in settings that offer higher reimbursement rates, thus improving their financial outcomes.
More salary data for Aurora, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Aurora, CO in 2026?
Is Aurora, CO a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Aurora?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Aurora?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Aurora?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $100,093 for physical therapistsin the Aurora 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
Salary data for Aurora 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