Physical Therapist Pay

Richmond vs Williamsburg: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Richmond, VA and Williamsburg, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$105,226
$50.58/hr
Williamsburg, VA
$99,353
$47.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VAWilliamsburg, VA
Median Salary$105,226$99,353
Hourly Rate$50.58$47.77
Entry Level (P10)$79,786$76,753
25th Percentile$85,954$83,270
75th Percentile$121,282$110,768
Top Earner (P90)$128,987$126,459
Total Employed1,3005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($105,226) and Williamsburg ($99,353) physical therapist salaries.RichmondWilliamsburgMedian Salary$105,226$99,353Entry Level (P10)$79,786$76,753Top Earner (P90)$128,987$126,459US Median $105,288

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Williamsburg.

The salary gap between Richmond and Williamsburg is $5,873 (5.91%). Richmond's median is -0.06% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $49,201,Williamsburg spans $49,706. Williamsburg has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$79,786
P25$85,954
Median$105,226
P75$121,282
P90 (Top)$128,987
Williamsburg
P10 (Entry)$76,753
P25$83,270
Median$99,353
P75$110,768
P90 (Top)$126,459

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($107,529 effective) pays 11.69% more than Williamsburg ($96,272 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $105,226
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $107,529
Williamsburg
Nominal: $99,353
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $96,272

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,226/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,987)
  • Larger job market (1,300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,529)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsburg if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Richmond grew 6.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.4% growth in Williamsburg over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+6.0%

$96,930 (2019) → $102,700 (2025)

Williamsburg, VA

+4.4%

$92,840 (2024) → $96,968 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Richmond or Williamsburg?

Richmond has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,226/year, compared to Williamsburg at $99,353/year — a difference of $5,873 (5.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Williamsburg?

Richmond physical therapists earn $50.58/hr while Williamsburg hygienists earn $47.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to Williamsburg as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Williamsburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $107,529, Williamsburg = $96,272), job availability (1,300 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Richmond vs Williamsburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $79,786 in Richmond and $76,753 in Williamsburg. The Richmond 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