Physical Therapist Salary in Walla Walla, WA: $118,587 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Walla Walla, WA earns a median $118,587/year (≈ $57.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Walla Walla's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $120,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Walla Walla, Washington, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $118,587 in 2026, which surpasses the national average by 12.63%. The salary range for physical therapists in this area varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning around $85,308, while the highest 90% can make up to $122,932. These findings are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The employment structure plays a significant role in these salary figures; outpatient orthopedic chains tend to offer lower base salaries than hospital systems but may supplement income with productivity bonuses. As Walla Walla continues to develop its healthcare landscape, opportunities within different practice settings will likely influence the earning potential of local physical therapists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,308 | $41.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,753 | $48.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,587 | $57.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,932 | $59.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,932 | $59.11 |
Median Salary Position
12.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Walla Walla
In Walla Walla, WA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,624 (2026 est.). At $118,587, the local median is 12.63% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Walla Walla: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Walla Walla Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Walla Walla median: $118,587/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Walla Walla Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $109,905 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +12.63% more |
Physical Therapists in Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $118,587 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.63% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 7.90% above the Washington state average of $109,905.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Walla Walla has a cost of living 1.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Walla Walla, WA has a cost-of-living index of 98.519 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $118,587 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,370 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,738
2025 BLS Actual
$115,740
2026 Current Est.
$118,587
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Walla Walla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,738 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,929 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,587 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,504 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Walla Walla metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $100,738 (2019) to $115,740 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,504 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,766 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Walla Walla 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) | $85,308 – $101,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,753 – $118,587 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,587 – $122,932 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,932 – $122,932 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Walla Walla
The local job market currently has about 30 physical therapists employed in the Walla Walla area, providing a stable environment for potential applicants. With a cost-of-living index of 98.519, the purchasing power of physical therapist pay in Walla Walla, WA, is bolstered, making it easier for professionals to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer competitive salaries, particularly for those who can manage high productivity expectations or possess advanced board certifications like OCS or SCS. The disparity in pay can often be linked to various factors, including the business model of the practice—whether it operates on cash-pay or insurance—and individual performance metrics. To maximize earning potential in Walla Walla, physical therapists may consider targeting high-volume clinics, pursuing specialization credentials, or exploring travel PT opportunities, which often come with premium pay rates.
More salary data for Walla Walla, 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 $115,740 for physical therapistsin the Walla Walla 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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