Healthcare Tacoma, WA Pop. 219,346

Physical Therapist Salary in Tacoma, Washington

The median physical therapist salary in Tacoma, WA is $111,401 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median and 4.2% below the Washington state average.

City Median
$111,401
vs State Avg
$-4,886
vs National
+$13,681
Cost of Living
110%

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

Tacoma offers a median physical therapist salary of $111,401, which is $4,886 below the Washington state average of $116,287. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Tacoma pays above average for this role.

Tacoma's cost of living is 110% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physical therapists in Tacoma spans from $76,152 at the 10th percentile to $148,428 at the 90th percentile — a $72,276 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,520, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,920. With a population of 219,346, Tacoma is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Tacoma by Experience

In Tacoma, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $77,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,520
+$9,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$111,720
+$13,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,920
+$17,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tacoma, WA

Percentile Tacoma
10th Percentile $76,152
25th Percentile $91,428
Median (50th) $111,401
75th Percentile $132,696
90th Percentile $148,428

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$152,443
Pop. 151,854
Seattle, WA
$148,534
Pop. 737,015
Vancouver, WA
$103,583
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$93,811
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Tacoma

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Tacoma and the surrounding Washington 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 Tacoma may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Tacoma

Browse open physical therapist positions in Tacoma, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Tacoma

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Tacoma, WA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Tacoma, Washington is $111,401 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $76,152 (10th percentile) to $148,428 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Tacoma? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,401, a physical therapist in Tacoma earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tacoma compare to the Washington state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Tacoma's median physical therapist salary of $111,401 is 4.2% below the Washington state average of $116,287. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tacoma, WA? ▼
Tacoma has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $111,401 in Tacoma has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Tacoma? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Tacoma 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.