HealthcareUpdated Q1 2026

Physical Therapist Salary
in Cambridge, MA

Help patients recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions through targeted physical rehabilitation. Median salary in Cambridge: $176K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$176K
per year
Take-home: $115K

Salary range in Cambridge

Entry level (25th)$139,000
Median (50th)$176,000
Senior (75th)$213,000
Top earner (90th)$259,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Cambridge

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

85% premium vs national median

Physical Therapists in Cambridge earn approximately 85% higher than the US national median for this role — a $81,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Cambridge's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Rent eats 33% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Cambridge ($3,200/mo) consumes approximately 33% of an after-tax median Physical Therapist salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($213K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Primarily on-site role

Only 10% of Physical Therapist positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Cambridge salary above represents what local employers actually pay — not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Cambridge

Median salary
$176K
annual
Take-home pay
$115K
after fed/state tax
COL index
185
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$3,200
per month
YoY growth
+3.2%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Cambridge Physical Therapist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $200K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Cambridge

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Physical Therapist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$147K$162K$177K$191K$206K201920212023202520272029
2026
$182K
projected
2027
$187K
projected
2028
$193K
projected
2029
$200K
projected
2030
$206K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$182,000+$6,000
2028 projected$187,000+$11,000
2029 projected$193,000+$17,000
2030 projected$200,000+$24,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Physical Therapist Salary in Cambridge, Massachusetts: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Physical Therapist salary in Cambridge, MA is $176,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Cambridge–MA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Physical Therapist in Cambridge

Entry-level Physical Therapists in Cambridge with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $139,000 and $176,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $176,000 to $213,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $213,000 to $259,000 or more.

Cost of living in Cambridge for Physical Therapists

Cambridge has a cost of living index of 185 compared to the US national average of 100. Cambridge's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Massachusetts has a 5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Physical Therapist

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). 10% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Physical Therapist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Cambridge (current)$176K185
Boston$124K162
Worcester$112K120
Springfield$100K105
Lowell$112K118