Physical Therapist Salary in Shoreline, WA: $110,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Shoreline, WA earns a median $110,262/year (≈ $53.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Shoreline's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $102,665 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected for 2026, physical therapist salaries in Shoreline, Washington, reflect both the rising demand in the field and the local market conditions, with a median annual compensation of $110,262. The salary range spans from $81,085 at the lower end to $143,851 at the higher end, indicating a competitive environment for physical therapist pay in Shoreline WA. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, enable physical therapists to expect substantially favorable remuneration compared to the national median of $105,288. Given the preference for outpatient therapy settings over hospitals in recent years, professionals must carefully navigate employer types—such as private practice chains versus skilled nursing facilities—as pay scales and benefits can differ significantly between sectors.
About the Shoreline Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($99,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,085 | $38.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,359 | $43.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,262 | $53.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,799 | $62.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,851 | $69.16 |
Median Salary Position
4.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shoreline
In Shoreline, WA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,766 (2026 est.). At $110,262, the local median is 4.72% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shoreline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shoreline Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Shoreline median: $110,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shoreline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $109,933 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +4.72% more |
Physical Therapists in Shoreline, WA earn a median of $110,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.72% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% above the Washington state average of $109,933.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shoreline has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shoreline, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,262 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,665 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,666
2025 BLS Actual
$107,615
2026 Current Est.
$110,262
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Shoreline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,666 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,138 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,337 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,421 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,615 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,975 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shoreline metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $93,666 (2019) to $107,615 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,975 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,309 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shoreline 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) | $81,085 – $90,359 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,359 – $110,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,262 – $129,799 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,799 – $143,851 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Shoreline
In Shoreline, there are currently eight physical therapists employed, suggesting a specialized yet robust job market. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, which indicates a slightly above-average expense level in the area, ultimately impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Physical therapists looking to optimize their compensation should consider the highest-paying employers in Shoreline, often found among outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI and Athletico. Factors such as productivity models that necessitate specific patient visit quotas, as well as potential bonuses for additional certifications (like the OCS or SCS), can further influence earnings. Moreover, engaging in cash-pay practices may yield better financial outcomes in this competitive landscape. To maximize pay, therapists should strive to enhance their specialty certifications and negotiate effectively with employers while also remaining aware of varying productivity expectations across different types of practice settings.
More salary data for Shoreline, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Shoreline, WA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Shoreline?
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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 $107,615 for physical therapistsin the Shoreline 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 Shoreline 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