Physical Therapist Salary in Richland, WA: $112,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Richland, WA earns a median $112,283/year (≈ $53.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Richland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $104,547 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $112,283 for physical therapists in Richland, Washington, the city's compensation is slightly above the national average of $105,288. The salary range in Richland spans from $83,951 at the lower end (P10) to $143,828 at the upper end (P90), indicating a competitive market for those entering the profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, reflect local economic conditions and the demand for skilled physical therapy professionals. Many therapists in Richland are likely driven by performance-based productivity expectations, which can significantly impact their earnings and work-life balance.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($99,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,951 | $40.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,050 | $44.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,283 | $53.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,927 | $62.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,828 | $69.15 |
Median Salary Position
6.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richland
In Richland, WA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,877 (2026 est.). At $112,283, the local median is 6.64% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richland Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Richland median: $112,283/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $109,973 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +6.64% more |
Physical Therapists in Richland, WA earn a median of $112,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.64% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% above the Washington state average of $109,973.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $112,283 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,547 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,382
2025 BLS Actual
$109,587
2026 Current Est.
$112,283
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,382 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,056 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,973 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,212 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,334 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,456 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,587 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,045 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $95,382 (2019) to $109,587 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,045 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,663 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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) | $83,951 – $93,050 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,050 – $112,283 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,283 – $130,927 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,927 – $143,828 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Richland
Richland's job market currently employs 15 physical therapists, creating a relatively tight-knit community of professionals. Given the cost of living index of 107.4, which is above the national average, physical therapists need to consider their take-home pay carefully to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities often provide the highest salaries, benefiting from steady patient caseloads. The pay disparity between entry-level and experienced therapists can be attributed to several factors, including productivity expectations, board certifications like the OCS or SCS that can qualify therapists for higher pay, and differing business models such as cash-pay versus insurance practices. In navigating the Richland market, strategies like pursuing specialization, increasing productivity through advanced practice, or considering opportunities in travel PT may enhance overall financial prospects for physical therapists.
More salary data for Richland, 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 $109,587 for physical therapistsin the Richland 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 Richland 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