Physical Therapist Salary in Grand Junction, CO: $104,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Grand Junction, CO earns a median $104,673/year (≈ $50.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Grand Junction's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $109,633 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Grand Junction can expect a median annual salary of $104,673, slightly lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession within the city spans from $78,556 at the 10th percentile to $130,657 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the competitive nature of the local job market. This data is crafted from projected figures based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcasing a sector driven by the demand for specialized services like cash-pay sports and orthopedic therapy, which often elevates top-end compensation. Given the concentration of employment opportunities in this community, physical therapists in Grand Junction enjoy a robust landscape that can influence their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,556 | $37.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,675 | $42.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,673 | $50.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,466 | $60.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,657 | $62.82 |
Median Salary Position
0.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Junction
In Grand Junction, CO, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,101 (2026 est.). At $104,673, the local median is 0.58% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Junction: You'd be above the median
How Grand Junction Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Grand Junction median: $104,673/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Junction Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $102,621 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.58% less |
Physical Therapists in Grand Junction, CO earn a median of $104,673 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.00% above the Colorado state average of $102,621.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Junction has a cost of living 4.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Junction, CO has a cost-of-living index of 95.476 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $104,673 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,633 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,330
2025 BLS Actual
$102,160
2026 Current Est.
$104,673
2019–2027 Growth
+21.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Grand Junction (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,248 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Junction metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 15.7% from $88,330 (2019) to $102,160 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,248 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,918 (21.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Junction 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) | $78,556 – $87,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,675 – $104,673 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,673 – $126,466 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,466 – $130,657 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Grand Junction
The local labor market supports about 150 physical therapists, contributing to the dynamics of salary compensation. With a cost-of-living index of 95.476, the purchasing power remains favorable, making the area appealing for professionals. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the most competitive pay packages, especially those integrating cash-pay models, while hospital-based positions may provide more stability but often at lower hourly rates. Disparities in pay are also influenced by the productivity expectations placed on therapists, including the units per visit and the number of visits in a day, as well as opportunities tied to advanced board certifications like OCS and SCS. Those seeking to maximize their earnings should consider engaging with cash-pay practices or exploring travel PT opportunities that generally offer higher wages, reflecting the ongoing trend in Grand Junction, CO.
More salary data for Grand Junction, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Grand Junction, CO 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
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 $102,160 for physical therapistsin the Grand Junction 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