Physical Therapist Salary in District of Columbia: $105,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $105,513/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $90,182 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($102,980).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in the District of Columbia is projected to be $105,513, slightly above the national median of $105,288 by 0.2%. This salary level indicates a stable job market for physical therapists, with a projected growth rate of 2.46% annually, reflecting ongoing demand for healthcare services in the region. Washington is the only city in the district for this profession, meaning there is no salary difference between cities, as both the highest and lowest paying city is Washington at $105,513. Factors influencing this salary include the state’s specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect the overall demand for services. The District of Columbia has a relatively high population density and diverse demographics, driving the need for physical therapy in various healthcare settings. With a total of 4,540 physical therapists employed in the area, there remains a solid job outlook, as more professionals are needed to meet the growing healthcare needs of residents. Those considering a career in this field in D.C. can expect competitive wages aligned closely with national averages, set against a backdrop of increasing demand for physical therapy services.
District of Columbia Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $81,025 (lowest entry-level) to $140,442 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia physical therapists earn 0.21% more than the national median (+$225/year difference).
District of Columbia Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in District of Columbia range from $81,025 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $140,442 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,513. The District of Columbia median is $225 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $50.73/hr. Approximately 4,540 physical therapists are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$91,960
2025 BLS Actual
$102,980
2026 Current Est.
$105,513
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,109 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 12.0% from $91,960 (2019) to $102,980 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,109 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,149 (17.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,025 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $105,513 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $140,442 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $105,513 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in District of Columbia in 2026?
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How does District of Columbia physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in District of Columbia?
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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
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 District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 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