Physical Therapist Salary in Golden, CO: $94,466 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Golden, CO earns a median $94,466/year (≈ $45.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Golden's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $89,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapists in Golden, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $94,466 in 2026, a figure that is notably lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession in Golden spans from $76,373 at the 10th percentile to $118,406 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a wide variance in compensation likely influenced by productivity expectations and the types of employers in the region. Estimates derive from BLS state-level data, incorporating regional cost adjustments that account for the overall cost of living in Golden, which is slightly above the national average with a cost index of 105. With only six physical therapists currently employed locally, this confined job market may also contribute to the competitive nature of salaries.
About the Golden Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,373 | $36.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,718 | $39.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,466 | $45.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,610 | $52.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,406 | $56.93 |
Median Salary Position
10.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Golden
In Golden, CO, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,033 (2026 est.). At $94,466, the local median is 10.28% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Golden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Golden Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Golden median: $94,466/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Golden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $102,681 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -10.28% less |
Physical Therapists in Golden, CO earn a median of $94,466 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.28% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $102,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Golden has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Golden, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,466 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,968 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,247
2025 BLS Actual
$92,198
2026 Current Est.
$94,466
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Golden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,247 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,656 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,792 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,676 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,461 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,878 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,198 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,466 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,790 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Golden metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $80,247 (2019) to $92,198 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,790 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,543 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Golden metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,373 – $81,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,718 – $94,466 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,466 – $109,610 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,610 – $118,406 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Golden
The local job market for physical therapists in Golden CO reveals that specialized settings often provide the most lucrative compensation. Among outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospital inpatient rehab, and skilled nursing facilities, those with higher productivity demands tend to pay more, particularly in chains like ATI or Athletico. Despite the attractive pay potential, the cost of living can impact take-home earnings, making it essential for professionals to evaluate their employment options carefully. Factors influencing the gap between salaries include board certifications, such as OCS or SCS, which can command higher pay, and the practice model—cash-pay setups often yield better compensation compared to traditional insurance models. For aspiring physical therapists looking to maximize their pay in Golden, targeting specialized roles, pursuing additional certifications, and considering productivity-based compensation models would be wise strategies to enhance their professional income.
More salary data for Golden, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Golden, CO in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Golden?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $92,198 for physical therapistsin the Golden metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Golden is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov