Physical Therapist Salary in Tacoma, WA: $108,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Tacoma, WA earns a median $108,095/year (≈ $51.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Tacoma's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $100,647 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tacoma, Washington, the anticipated salary for physical therapists in 2026 stands at $108,095, slightly above the national median of $105,288. This compensation reflects pressures associated with productivity expectations in healthcare, particularly in how many patient visits therapists are expected to manage daily. The salary spectrum ranges from $78,922 at the 10th percentile to $152,288 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential based on experience, specialization, and workplace settings. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data and account for regional cost adjustments, affirming Tacoma as a competitive market for physical therapist pay compared to other regions in Washington.
About the Tacoma Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($99,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,922 | $37.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,001 | $42.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,095 | $51.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,113 | $64.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,288 | $73.22 |
Median Salary Position
2.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tacoma
In Tacoma, WA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,366 (2026 est.). At $108,095, the local median is 2.67% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tacoma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tacoma Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Tacoma median: $108,095/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tacoma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $109,965 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +2.67% more |
Physical Therapists in Tacoma, WA earn a median of $108,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.67% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.70% below the Washington state average of $109,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tacoma has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tacoma, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,095 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,647 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$91,825
2025 BLS Actual
$105,500
2026 Current Est.
$108,095
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Tacoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,437 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,326 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,689 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tacoma metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $91,825 (2019) to $105,500 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,929 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tacoma 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) | $78,922 – $89,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,001 – $108,095 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,095 – $133,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,113 – $152,288 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Tacoma
The local job market features 56 physical therapists currently employed in Tacoma, suggesting a modest but resilient demand for these professionals amidst a cost-of-living index of 107.4, which is slightly above the national average. This index indicates that while salaries are generally competitive, the rising living costs can affect purchasing power. Employers in Tacoma that tend to offer the highest salaries often include hospital systems and outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as ATI and Athletico. Factors driving pay variations include productivity models, board certifications like OCS and SCS, and differences between cash-pay and insurance reimbursement practices. To maximize earning potential in Tacoma, physical therapists should target positions in environments with strong productivity incentives, pursue additional certifications, and consider options for contract or travel roles, which can offer lucrative short-term compensation packages.
More salary data for Tacoma, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Tacoma, WA in 2026?
Is Tacoma, WA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Tacoma?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Tacoma?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Tacoma?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $105,500 for physical therapistsin the Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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