Physical Therapist Pay

Atlanta vs Roswell: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Atlanta, GA and Roswell, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$105,985
$50.95/hr
Roswell, GA
$103,581
$49.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GARoswell, GA
Median Salary$105,985$103,581
Hourly Rate$50.95$49.80
Entry Level (P10)$83,279$78,518
25th Percentile$86,364$86,644
75th Percentile$123,628$123,854
Top Earner (P90)$135,350$137,803
Total Employed4,25019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($105,985) and Roswell ($103,581) physical therapist salaries.AtlantaRoswellMedian Salary$105,985$103,581Entry Level (P10)$83,279$78,518Top Earner (P90)$135,350$137,803US Median $105,288

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roswell.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Roswell is $2,404 (2.32%). Atlanta's median is +0.66% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $52,071,Roswell spans $59,285. Roswell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$83,279
P25$86,364
Median$105,985
P75$123,628
P90 (Top)$135,350
Roswell
P10 (Entry)$78,518
P25$86,644
Median$103,581
P75$123,854
P90 (Top)$137,803

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roswell ($111,258 effective) pays 5.04% more than Atlanta ($105,924 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $105,985
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $105,924
Roswell
Nominal: $103,581
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $111,258

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,985/year)
  • Larger job market (4,250 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Roswell if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($137,803)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,258)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Atlanta grew 19.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.0% growth in Roswell over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+19.3%

$86,670 (2019) → $103,440 (2025)

Roswell, GA

+22.0%

$82,872 (2024) → $101,094 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Atlanta or Roswell?

Atlanta has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,985/year, compared to Roswell at $103,581/year — a difference of $2,404 (2.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Roswell?

Atlanta physical therapists earn $50.95/hr while Roswell hygienists earn $49.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Roswell as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Roswell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $105,924, Roswell = $111,258), job availability (4,250 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Atlanta vs Roswell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $83,279 in Atlanta and $78,518 in Roswell. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov