HealthcareUpdated Q1 2026

Physical Therapist Salary
in Philadelphia, PA

Help patients recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions through targeted physical rehabilitation. Median salary in Philadelphia: $109K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$109K
per year
Take-home: $73K

Salary range in Philadelphia

Entry level (25th)$86,000
Median (50th)$109,000
Senior (75th)$132,000
Top earner (90th)$161,000
Data freshness

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

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What the numbers say for Philadelphia

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

15% premium vs national median

Physical Therapists in Philadelphia earn approximately 15% higher than the US national median for this role — a $14,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Philadelphia's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living index (110), the median Physical Therapist salary buys the equivalent of $99,091 in a US-average-cost city. That's $4,091 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Primarily on-site role

Only 10% of Physical Therapist positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia

Median salary
$109K
annual
Take-home pay
$73K
after fed/state tax
COL index
110
100 = US avg
State income tax
3.07%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,650
per month
YoY growth
+3.2%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Philadelphia 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 $124K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Philadelphia

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

HistoricalProjected
Physical Therapist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$91K$100K$110K$119K$128K201920212023202520272029
2026
$112K
projected
2027
$116K
projected
2028
$120K
projected
2029
$124K
projected
2030
$128K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$112,000+$3,000
2028 projected$116,000+$7,000
2029 projected$120,000+$11,000
2030 projected$124,000+$15,000

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

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Physical Therapist Salary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Physical Therapist salary in Philadelphia, PA is $109,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Philadelphia–PA 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 Philadelphia

Entry-level Physical Therapists in Philadelphia with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $86,000 and $109,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $109,000 to $132,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $132,000 to $161,000 or more.

Cost of living in Philadelphia for Physical Therapists

Philadelphia has a cost of living index of 110 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Philadelphia are close to the national average. Pennsylvania has a 3.07% 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
Philadelphia (current)$109K110
Pittsburgh$100K90
Allentown$90K95
Erie$76K80