Physical Therapist Pay

Cincinnati vs Hilliard: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$105,421
$50.69/hr
Hilliard, OH
$99,692
$47.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHHilliard, OH
Median Salary$105,421$99,692
Hourly Rate$50.69$47.93
Entry Level (P10)$82,163$77,236
25th Percentile$86,794$82,270
75th Percentile$115,821$114,922
Top Earner (P90)$128,895$125,075
Total Employed2,0909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($105,421) and Hilliard ($99,692) physical therapist salaries.CincinnatiHilliardMedian Salary$105,421$99,692Entry Level (P10)$82,163$77,236Top Earner (P90)$128,895$125,075US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Hilliard is $5,729 (5.75%). Cincinnati's median is +0.13% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $46,732,Hilliard spans $47,839. Hilliard has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$82,163
P25$86,794
Median$105,421
P75$115,821
P90 (Top)$128,895
Hilliard
P10 (Entry)$77,236
P25$82,270
Median$99,692
P75$114,922
P90 (Top)$125,075

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($110,539 effective) pays 0.57% more than Hilliard ($109,914 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $105,421
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $110,539
Hilliard
Nominal: $99,692
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $109,914

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,421/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,895)
  • Larger job market (2,090 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,539)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Hilliard if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Cincinnati grew 14.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.9% growth in Hilliard over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+14.8%

$89,610 (2019) → $102,890 (2025)

Hilliard, OH

+25.9%

$77,265 (2024) → $97,298 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Cincinnati or Hilliard?

Cincinnati has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,421/year, compared to Hilliard at $99,692/year — a difference of $5,729 (5.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Hilliard?

Cincinnati physical therapists earn $50.69/hr while Hilliard hygienists earn $47.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Hilliard as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Hilliard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $110,539, Hilliard = $109,914), job availability (2,090 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Cincinnati vs Hilliard?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $82,163 in Cincinnati and $77,236 in Hilliard. The Cincinnati 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