Physical Therapist salary in District of Columbia
Physical Therapists in District of Columbia earn a median of $101,640 a year ($48.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,470 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,760. District of Columbia ranks 21st of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 0.86 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $112,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,620 | $41.16 |
| 25th percentile | $95,940 | $46.12 |
| Median | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| 75th percentile | $128,750 | $61.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,470 | $62.25 |
| Average (mean) | $112,400 | $54.04 |
Half of physical therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,470 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,235 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,909.23 |
| Weekly | $1,954.62 |
| Hourly | $48.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,980 | 4,540 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| Veterinarian | $134,530 | $64.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for physical therapists in District of Columbia is $101,640 a year, or $48.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of physical therapists in District of Columbia earn at least $129,470 a year. The top 25% earn $128,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,620 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $95,940 or less.
How many physical therapists work in District of Columbia?
About 610 physical therapists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.