Physical Therapist Salary in Washington: $108,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $108,402/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $100,933 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Walla Walla ($115,740), Wenatchee ($114,980), Mount Vernon ($113,510).
In Washington, the projected average median salary for physical therapists in 2026 is $108,403, which is 3.0% higher than the national median of $105,288. This discrepancy in salaries can partly be attributed to the varied demand for physical therapy services across the state. The highest paying city is Walla Walla, with a salary of $118,587, while Bellingham has the lowest at $98,823, creating a salary gap of $19,764. Factors influencing this range include local economic conditions, population demographics, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Washington has specific requirements for state licensing and a defined scope of practice that can impact job opportunities and salary levels. With a total of 5,174 employed physical therapists projected in 2026 and an annual growth rate of 2.46%, the job market shows steady demand for professionals in this field. Top cities for physical therapist employment include Wenatchee at $117,809, Mount Vernon at $116,302, Renton at $112,800, and Richland at $112,283, indicating that there are various opportunities across different regions. Understanding these dynamics can help you navigate your career path effectively in Washington's physical therapy landscape.
Washington Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $66,384 (lowest entry-level) to $154,149 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington physical therapists earn 2.96% more than the national median (+$3,114/year difference).
Washington Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Washington range from $73,215 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $143,039 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $108,402. The Washington median is $3,114 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $52.12/hr. Approximately 5,174 physical therapists are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,635
2025 BLS Actual
$105,800
2026 Current Est.
$108,402
2019–2027 Growth
+25.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,819 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,595 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,834 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,416 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,069 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.4% from $88,635 (2019) to $105,800 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,069 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,434 (25.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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 Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bellingham | $98,823 |
| Bremerton | $100,155 |
| Tukwila | $101,610 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $101,767 |
| Spokane | $102,142 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla | $118,587 | 98.519 | $120,370 |
| Yakima | $108,556 | 95.545 | $113,618 |
| Mount Vernon | $116,302 | 102.443 | $113,528 |
| Wenatchee | $117,809 | 103.855 | $113,436 |
| Longview | $110,462 | 97.545 | $113,242 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $73,215 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $108,402 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $143,039 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walla Walla | $118,587 |
| 2 | Wenatchee | $117,809 |
| 3 | Mount Vernon | $116,302 |
| 4 | Renton | $112,800 |
| 5 | Richland | $112,283 |
| 6 | Everett | $111,708 |
| 7 | Bellevue | $111,006 |
| 8 | Marysville | $110,872 |
| 9 | Longview | $110,462 |
| 10 | Shoreline | $110,262 |
| 11 | Kennewick | $109,991 |
| 12 | Seattle | $109,929 |
| 13 | Redmond | $109,827 |
| 14 | Kent | $109,737 |
| 15 | Vancouver | $109,565 |
| 16 | Kirkland | $109,557 |
| 17 | Burien | $109,418 |
| 18 | Federal Way | $108,936 |
| 19 | Des Moines | $108,913 |
| 20 | Auburn | $108,660 |
| 21 | Lakewood | $108,617 |
| 22 | Yakima | $108,556 |
| 23 | Issaquah | $108,555 |
| 24 | Tumwater | $108,310 |
| 25 | Tacoma | $108,095 |
| 26 | Sammamish | $107,842 |
| 27 | University Place | $107,804 |
| 28 | SeaTac | $107,719 |
| 29 | Olympia | $107,327 |
| 30 | Pasco | $107,258 |
| 31 | Edmonds | $106,601 |
| 32 | Lacey | $106,447 |
| 33 | Lake Stevens | $106,320 |
| 34 | Lynnwood | $106,252 |
| 35 | Moses Lake | $106,047 |
| 36 | Bothell | $105,970 |
| 37 | Pullman | $105,501 |
| 38 | Puyallup | $105,262 |
| 39 | Ellensburg | $104,867 |
| 40 | Maple Valley | $104,580 |
| 41 | Camas | $104,316 |
| 42 | Spokane Valley | $104,108 |
| 43 | Oak Harbor | $103,875 |
| 44 | Kenmore | $103,206 |
| 45 | Covington | $103,197 |
| 46 | Spokane | $102,142 |
| 47 | Mountlake Terrace | $101,767 |
| 48 | Tukwila | $101,610 |
| 49 | Bremerton | $100,155 |
| 50 | Bellingham | $98,823 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Washington cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Washington?
How does Washington physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Washington?
How many physical therapists are employed in Washington?
Which Washington 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 Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 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