Physical Therapist Salary in Auburn, WA: $108,660 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Auburn, WA earns a median $108,660/year (≈ $52.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $101,173 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected physical therapist salary in Auburn, WA, is forecasted to be $108,660 annually, which reflects a notable 3.20% increase over the national median of $105,288. The local salary range spans from $77,236 at the 10th percentile to $145,115 at the 90th percentile, offering a wide spectrum of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and productivity. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which can influence effective hourly compensation. With pressure to maintain high visit volumes, the earnings for physical therapists in this market are shaped by the demands of patient throughput, making productivity a crucial factor in overall income potential.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($99,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,236 | $37.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,268 | $43.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,660 | $52.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,176 | $62.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,115 | $69.77 |
Median Salary Position
3.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, WA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,879 (2026 est.). At $108,660, the local median is 3.2% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Auburn median: $108,660/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $109,980 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +3.20% more |
Physical Therapists in Auburn, WA earn a median of $108,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.20% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $109,980.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,660 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,173 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,304
2025 BLS Actual
$106,051
2026 Current Est.
$108,660
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,304 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,925 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,682 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,903 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,099 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,051 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,660 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,333 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $92,304 (2019) to $106,051 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,333 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,029 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $77,236 – $91,268 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,268 – $108,660 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,660 – $130,176 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,176 – $145,115 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Auburn
Auburn's healthcare market employs just 23 physical therapists, suggesting a competitive but limited job landscape. Living in a city with a cost-of-living index of 107.4 means that take-home pay must account for higher local expenses, affecting overall purchasing power for physical therapists. Among the varying employment options available, outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest compensation, particularly for therapists who have pursued board certifications like OCS or SCS. The disparity in earnings, seen within the Auburn market, is influenced by factors such as average patient visits per day, the practice model (cash-pay vs. insurance-based), and potential bonuses tied to productivity. For those wishing to maximize their salary in Auburn, pursuing specialization and keeping abreast of reimbursement trends can be advantageous strategies, as higher productivity expectations align closely with increased compensation opportunities in this evolving field.
More salary data for Auburn, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $106,051 for physical therapistsin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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