PayByState

District of Columbia · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in District of Columbia

Median $120,650 · Top 10% earn $158,990+ · Roughly 733 workers in District of Columbia. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

District of Columbia median
$120,650
$58.00/hr
Top 10%
$158,990
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$82,100
Entry-level range
Real pay
$103,919
CoL-adjusted (RPP 116.1)

District of Columbia pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for physical therapists — $120,650 versus the national median of $99,710. After adjusting for District of Columbia's high cost of living, the pay edge narrows to about $4,209 above U.S. average buying power. The state employs roughly 733 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in District of Columbia

District of Columbia sits in the top quartile of U.S. physical therapist pay. The structural drivers are typical of high-pay states for this occupation: strong hospital system concentration, limited credential supply, or regulatory frameworks that compress labor availability.

District of Columbia ranks #2 of 50 states

Where District of Columbia sits in the national distribution for physical therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. District of Columbia
#1 Washington $121,650 +$1,000
#2 District of Columbia (this page) $120,650 —
#3 New York $119,650 −$1,000
#4 Nevada $119,650 −$1,000
#5 California $117,660 −$2,990
See all 50 states →

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Education path for District of Columbia

The typical path is a doctor of physical therapy (dpt) + state license, taking about 36 months. Tuition ranges from $50,000 (community college) to $175,000 (private accelerated). On the District of Columbia median of $120,650, payback periods are typically 2 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Physical Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with District of Columbia selected.

Physical Therapist salary in District of Columbia — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in District of Columbia?
The median physical therapist salary in District of Columbia is $120,650 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $82,100; the top 10% earn $158,990 or more. About 733 people work in this role across the state.
How does District of Columbia physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia's median of $120,650 is $20,940 above the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for District of Columbia's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 116.1), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $103,919.
Is physical therapist a good career in District of Columbia?
On the data: District of Columbia employs roughly 733 physical therapists, with a median wage of $120,650 and the top decile clearing $158,990. The role is projected to grow +15% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for physical therapists in District of Columbia?
At the District of Columbia median of $120,650 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $58.00/hr. The top 10% earn around $76.44/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $39.47/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

District of Columbia-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1123: Physical Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where District of Columbia's RPP is 116.1 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.