Physical Therapist Salary in Steamboat Springs, CO: $96,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Steamboat Springs, CO earns a median $96,781/year (≈ $46.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Steamboat Springs's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $92,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual physical therapist salary in Steamboat Springs of $96,781 in 2026, local compensation is slightly lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range extends from $74,066 at the 10th percentile to $122,413 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied landscape of physical therapy employment in the area. This pay structure typically reflects different settings, with outpatient chains like ATI or Athletico generally offering lower initial salaries compared to hospital systems; however, they may incorporate productivity bonuses that can enhance overall earnings. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost factors suggest that those in Steamboat Springs can expect competitive pay within a growing field, even as the job market features a limited number of employed physical therapists—only four in the region—highlighting potential demand for skilled practitioners.
About the Steamboat Springs Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,066 | $35.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,595 | $41.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,781 | $46.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,476 | $52.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,413 | $58.85 |
Median Salary Position
8.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Steamboat Springs
In Steamboat Springs, CO, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,347 (2026 est.). At $96,781, the local median is 8.08% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Steamboat Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Steamboat Springs Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Steamboat Springs median: $96,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Steamboat Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $102,631 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -8.08% less |
Physical Therapists in Steamboat Springs, CO earn a median of $96,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.08% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.70% below the Colorado state average of $102,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Steamboat Springs has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Steamboat Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,781 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $92,172 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,213
2025 BLS Actual
$94,457
2026 Current Est.
$96,781
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Steamboat Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,213 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,656 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,894 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,824 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,653 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,457 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,161 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Steamboat Springs metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,213 (2019) to $94,457 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,948 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Steamboat Springs 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) | $74,066 – $86,595 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,595 – $96,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,781 – $109,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,476 – $122,413 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Steamboat Springs
The local job market reveals nuances in physical therapist pay in Steamboat Springs, CO, where the cost of living index stands at 105, indicating a slightly higher living expense than the national average. This can impact take-home pay, emphasizing the importance of considering employment settings that can offer higher wages. Among competitors, outpatient orthopedic clinics often lead in compensation figures, particularly those that blend private practice with efficient volume-based models. Differential pay can arise from several factors, including expectations around productivity—such as units per visit and daily visit counts—as well as specialized board certifications like OCS or SCS, which may command higher salaries. Ultimately, those aiming to maximize their compensation in this market should focus on developing specialization credentials, exploring cash-pay versus insurance-based staffing models, and pursuing opportunities at higher-paying employers such as sports medicine clinics or travel PT agencies.
More salary data for Steamboat Springs, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Steamboat Springs, CO in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Steamboat Springs?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Steamboat Springs?
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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 $94,457 for physical therapistsin the Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs 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