Physical Therapist Salary in Tukwila, WA: $101,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Tukwila, WA earns a median $101,610/year (≈ $48.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Tukwila's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $94,609 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tukwila, Washington, physical therapist salaries reflect the complex dynamics of the local healthcare job market, particularly influenced by the employer type. With a median annual salary of $101,610 in 2026, physical therapists in the region earn slightly less than the national median of $105,288. The salary range here spans from $82,978 at the lower end to $124,976 at the upper end, indicating a diverse compensation structure based on experience, productivity, and practice type. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight how varying settings—such as outpatient orthopedic clinics or hospital systems—impact pay, with outpatient models often linking compensation to productivity metrics while offering bonuses that may attract therapists despite lower base salaries.
About the Tukwila Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($99,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,978 | $39.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,127 | $41.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,610 | $48.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,197 | $55.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,976 | $60.08 |
Median Salary Position
3.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tukwila
In Tukwila, WA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,998 (2026 est.). At $101,610, the local median is 3.49% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Tukwila: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tukwila Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Tukwila median: $101,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tukwila Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $109,967 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.49% less |
Physical Therapists in Tukwila, WA earn a median of $101,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.60% below the Washington state average of $109,967.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tukwila has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tukwila, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,610 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,609 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,315
2025 BLS Actual
$99,170
2026 Current Est.
$101,610
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Tukwila (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,315 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,279 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,306 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,279 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,109 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tukwila metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,315 (2019) to $99,170 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,109 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,794 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tukwila 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) | $82,978 – $86,127 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,127 – $101,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,610 – $116,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,197 – $124,976 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Tukwila
Despite only four physical therapists currently employed in Tukwila, the local job market demonstrates a promising outlook within a relatively stable cost of living index of 107.4, suggesting that while living expenses are above the national average, salaries are designed to reflect those market conditions. Employers offering the highest pay often include hospital-based therapists and specialized clinics that can afford to attract top talent through enhanced incentive structures linked to productivity expectations, such as patient visits per day or reimbursement codes for specialized therapies. Therapists looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing additional certifications like OCS or SCS, as these can bolster both stature and salary potential. Engaging in cash-pay models or working in high-demand niches—such as sports medicine or pediatric therapy—may also enhance overall compensation, given the trends in reimbursement cuts from insurance providers that have consistently pressured physical therapist pay in Tukwila, WA.
More salary data for Tukwila, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $99,170 for physical therapistsin the Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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