Physical Therapist Pay

Chillicothe vs Cleveland: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Chillicothe, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chillicothe, OH
$99,167
$47.67/hr
Cleveland, OH
$106,589
$51.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChillicothe, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$99,167$106,589
Hourly Rate$47.67$51.25
Entry Level (P10)$75,205$81,579
25th Percentile$88,544$86,845
75th Percentile$115,516$119,059
Top Earner (P90)$125,386$130,329
Total Employed62,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chillicothe ($99,167) and Cleveland ($106,589) physical therapist salaries.ChillicotheClevelandMedian Salary$99,167$106,589Entry Level (P10)$75,205$81,579Top Earner (P90)$125,386$130,329US Median $105,288

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chillicothe.

The salary gap between Chillicothe and Cleveland is $7,422 (7.48%). Cleveland's median is +1.24% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chillicothe spans $50,181,Cleveland spans $48,750. Chillicothe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chillicothe
P10 (Entry)$75,205
P25$88,544
Median$99,167
P75$115,516
P90 (Top)$125,386
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$81,579
P25$86,845
Median$106,589
P75$119,059
P90 (Top)$130,329

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($113,486 effective) pays 3.80% more than Chillicothe ($109,335 effective).

Chillicothe
Nominal: $99,167
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $109,335
Cleveland
Nominal: $106,589
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $113,486

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chillicothe if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,589/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,329)
  • Larger job market (2,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,486)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Chillicothe grew 25.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Chillicothe, OH

+25.9%

$76,858 (2024) → $96,786 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+20.6%

$86,230 (2019) → $104,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Chillicothe or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median physical therapist salary at $106,589/year, compared to Chillicothe at $99,167/year — a difference of $7,422 (7.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chillicothe and Cleveland?

Chillicothe physical therapists earn $47.67/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $51.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chillicothe to Cleveland as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chillicothe and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chillicothe = $109,335, Cleveland = $113,486), job availability (6 vs 2,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Chillicothe vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $75,205 in Chillicothe and $81,579 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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