PayByState

Washington · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in Washington

Median $121,650 · Top 10% earn $160,940+ · Roughly 5,377 workers in Washington. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Washington median
$121,650
$58.49/hr
Top 10%
$160,940
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$82,780
Entry-level range
Real pay
$110,792
CoL-adjusted (RPP 109.8)

Washington pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for physical therapists — $121,650 versus the national median of $99,710. Real purchasing power is $11,082 above the U.S. average — a clean win. The state employs roughly 5,377 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in Washington

Washington 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.

Washington ranks #1 of 50 states

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

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

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Education path for Washington

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 Washington median of $121,650, 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 Washington selected.

Physical Therapist salary in Washington — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in Washington?
The median physical therapist salary in Washington is $121,650 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $82,780; the top 10% earn $160,940 or more. About 5,377 people work in this role across the state.
How does Washington physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
Washington's median of $121,650 is $21,940 above the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 109.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $110,792.
Is physical therapist a good career in Washington?
On the data: Washington employs roughly 5,377 physical therapists, with a median wage of $121,650 and the top decile clearing $160,940. 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 Washington?
At the Washington median of $121,650 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $58.49/hr. The top 10% earn around $77.38/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $39.80/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Washington-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 Washington's RPP is 109.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.