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2026 Salary Data — Boston, MA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Boston: $130K Median

Physical Therapists in Boston, MA earn between $98K and $169K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Boston, MA is $129,623 per year — +30% above the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $97,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $169,000 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Boston earned approximately $19,640 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$129,623
+560.0% YoY · $10,802/mo
Entry
$101,400
0–2 years
Experienced
$149,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$169,000
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Boston vs Nearby
Boston
$130K
San Diego
$118K
+10% vs Boston
Seattle
$132K
-2% vs Boston
Long Beach
$120K
+8% vs Boston

Free ATS scan · Boston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in Boston

Physical therapists help patients recover mobility and manage pain through evidence-based treatment plans, manual therapy, and exercise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient evaluation
  • Treatment planning
  • Manual therapy
  • Exercise prescription
  • Documentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

In-demand certifications

DPTOCS (Orthopedic Specialist)SCS (Sports)NCS (Neurologic)

Boston Job Market

Premier biotech, healthcare, and education hub with major tech presence.

Population
692K
Cost of Living
162
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$750K

Top Industries in Boston

HealthcareEducationBiotechTechFinance

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Boston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Hospital systems
Outpatient clinics
Sports medicine practices
Home health agencies
Schools

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physical Therapist listings.

Telehealth PTSports medicinePelvic healthManual therapy specialtyDirect access

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DPTmanual therapypatient evaluationorthopedicsports rehabilitationEMR (WebPT)evidence-based practice
Career Outlook
+14% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population.

Physical Therapist Salary Breakdown — Boston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$97,500$129,623$169,000
Monthly$8,125$10,802$14,083
Weekly$1,875$2,493$3,250
Hourly$47$62$81

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Boston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$92,773.171
Per month$7,731
Biweekly paycheck$3,568
Effective tax rate28.4%

Tax Breakdown on $129,623

Gross salary$129,623
Federal income tax−$20,452.52
Massachusetts state tax−$6,481.15
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,916.16
Take-home (net)$92,773.171

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physical Therapist Salary by Experience — Boston

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Boston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$93,288
2–3 yr$101,400
4–6 yr$125,450
7–10 yr$149,500
11–15 yr$176,410
15+ yr$159,250

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Boston's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$19,640
2026 median:$129,623
Change:+$109,983

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth PT and Sports medicine.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$80,014
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Boston

Walk-away anchor: $117,839 (offers below this are below market for Boston).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $150K–$169K for experienced roles, citing Boston market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Boston

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Boston, MA?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Boston is $129,623 per year as of April 2026 — $10,802/month, $2,493/week, or about $62/hour. Salaries range from $97,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $169,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $129,623 a good Physical Therapist salary in Boston?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Boston's cost-of-living index is 162 (vs 100 nationally), giving $129,623 a real purchasing power of approximately $80,014 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $129,623 in Boston?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Boston specifically (median home price $750,000), a $129,623 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $129,623 enough for a single person in Boston?
A single adult in Boston typically needs ~$72,900 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $129,623 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $129,623 enough for a couple in Boston?
A couple (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$116,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $129,623 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $129,623 each ($259,246 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $129,623 enough for a family of 4 in Boston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$178,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $129,623 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Boston. Childcare costs in Boston typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Boston?
On a $129,623 Physical Therapist salary in Boston, MA, you take home approximately $92,773.171 per year ($7,731/month, $3,568 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $20,452.52, state $6,481.15, FICA $9,916.16. Effective tax rate: 28.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Boston earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Boston earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $129,623 in Boston). However, Boston's cost-of-living index of 162 means real purchasing power is approximately $80,014 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Boston?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Boston typically start at around $101,400 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $149,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $169,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Boston increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Boston grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $19,640 in 2025 to $129,623 in 2026 (+$109,983). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth PT and Sports medicine demand.
What's the job outlook for Physical Therapists in Boston?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Boston's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Biotech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Physical Therapists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physical Therapists are: Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health, Manual therapy specialty, Direct access. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Boston.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Boston?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Boston include: Hospital systems, Outpatient clinics, Sports medicine practices, Home health agencies, Schools. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physical Therapist salary in Boston?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physical Therapist salary in Boston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DPT or OCS (Orthopedic Specialist)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physical Therapist in Boston?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Boston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physical Therapist salary figures for Boston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Boston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Boston

Occupational Therapist →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$128KSeattle, WA$132KWashington, DC$130K

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