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2026 Salary Data — Seattle, WA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Seattle: $132K Median

Physical Therapists in Seattle, WA earn between $99K and $172K per year.

That's +32% above the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Seattle, WA is $131,617 per year — +32% above the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $99,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $171,600 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Seattle earned approximately $19,942 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$131,617
+560.0% YoY · $10,968/mo
Entry
$102,960
0–2 years
Experienced
$151,800
5+ years
Top 10%
$171,600
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Seattle vs Nearby
Seattle
$132K
Boston
$130K
+2% vs Seattle
San Diego
$118K
+12% vs Seattle
Los Angeles
$128K
+3% vs Seattle

Free ATS scan · Seattle employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in Seattle

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)

Seattle Job Market

Major tech hub home to Amazon, Microsoft, and growing biotech sector.

Population
750K
Cost of Living
165
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in Seattle

Tech (Amazon, Microsoft)Aerospace (Boeing)HealthcareMaritime

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Seattle 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 — Seattle

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$99,000$131,617$171,600
Monthly$8,250$10,968$14,300
Weekly$1,904$2,531$3,300
Hourly$48$63$83

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Seattle

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$100,617.22
Per month$8,385
Biweekly paycheck$3,870
Effective tax rate23.6%

Tax Breakdown on $131,617

Gross salary$131,617
Federal income tax−$20,931.08
Washington state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,068.7
Take-home (net)$100,617.22

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 — Seattle

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Seattle.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$94,723
2–3 yr$102,960
4–6 yr$127,380
7–10 yr$151,800
11–15 yr$179,124
15+ yr$161,700

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Seattle's 1.32× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$19,942
2026 median:$131,617
Change:+$111,675

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
$79,768
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 Seattle

Walk-away anchor: $119,652 (offers below this are below market for Seattle).

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 $152K–$172K for experienced roles, citing Seattle market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Seattle

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Seattle, WA?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Seattle is $131,617 per year as of April 2026 — $10,968/month, $2,531/week, or about $63/hour. Salaries range from $99,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $171,600 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×).
Is $131,617 a good Physical Therapist salary in Seattle?
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. Seattle's cost-of-living index is 165 (vs 100 nationally), giving $131,617 a real purchasing power of approximately $79,768 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 $131,617 in Seattle?
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 Seattle specifically (median home price $850,000), a $131,617 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $131,617 enough for a single person in Seattle?
A single adult in Seattle typically needs ~$74,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $131,617 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $131,617 enough for a couple in Seattle?
A couple (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$118,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $131,617 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $131,617 each ($263,234 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $131,617 enough for a family of 4 in Seattle?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$181,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $131,617 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 Seattle. Childcare costs in Seattle typically run $25K-$46K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Seattle?
On a $131,617 Physical Therapist salary in Seattle, WA, you take home approximately $100,617.22 per year ($8,385/month, $3,870 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $20,931.08, state $0, FICA $10,068.7. Effective tax rate: 23.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Seattle earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Seattle earn approximately 32% more than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $131,617 in Seattle). However, Seattle's cost-of-living index of 165 means real purchasing power is approximately $79,768 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Seattle?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Seattle typically start at around $102,960 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $151,800 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $171,600+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Seattle increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Seattle grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $19,942 in 2025 to $131,617 in 2026 (+$111,675). 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 Seattle?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Seattle's top industries include Tech (Amazon, Microsoft), Aerospace (Boeing), Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Seattle.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Seattle?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Seattle 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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Seattle'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 Seattle are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.32× — 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 Seattle

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

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

New York, NY$135KLos Angeles, CA$128KWashington, DC$130KBoston, MA$130K

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