Healthcare Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

Physical Therapist Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median physical therapist salary in Columbia, MD is $119,218 per year, which is 22.0% above the national median and 7.0% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$119,218
vs State Avg
+$7,817
vs National
+$21,498
Cost of Living
118%

Physical Therapist Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median physical therapist salary of $119,218, which is $7,817 above the Maryland state average of $111,401. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Columbia pays above average for this role.

However, Columbia's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $119,218 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $101,032. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Columbia should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for physical therapists in Columbia spans from $81,496 at the 10th percentile to $158,844 at the 90th percentile — a $77,348 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $82,960, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $156,160. With a population of 104,681, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $82,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $156,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$82,960
+$14,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$119,560
+$21,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$156,160
+$28,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $81,496
25th Percentile $97,844
Median (50th) $119,218
75th Percentile $142,008
90th Percentile $158,844

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$123,127
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$116,287
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$109,446
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$106,515
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Columbia

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Columbia and the surrounding Maryland area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open physical therapist positions in Columbia, MD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Columbia, MD? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Columbia, Maryland is $119,218 per year, which is 22.0% above the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $81,496 (10th percentile) to $158,844 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $119,218, a physical therapist in Columbia earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Maryland state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Columbia's median physical therapist salary of $119,218 is 7.0% above the Maryland state average of $111,401. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MD? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $119,218 in Columbia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Columbia? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Columbia require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.