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Physical Therapy Salary in Colorado: Is It a Good Career?

Colorado · 2026 BLS salary data

Physical Therapy pay in Colorado

The median wage is $102,030/yr — 1% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Coloradoranks #17 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Colorado

Real BLS state-level figures for Physical Therapy.

Median salary
$102,030/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$83,320 – $118,980
National median
$102,760/yr
Employed in Colorado
5,630

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Colorado

Salary alone can mislead — Colorado costs 3% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
103.1
Nominal median
$102,030
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $98,962
State income tax
Up to 4.4%

Colorado's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #42 of 51, down from #17 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions; some localities also levy income tax.

FAQ

How much do physical therapy professionals make in Colorado?

The median annual wage is $102,030 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $83,320 and $118,980. That's 1% below the national median.

Is Colorado a good state for physical therapy?

By raw pay, Colorado ranks #17 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Colorado costs 3% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $98,962. Colorado's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #42 of 51, down from #17 on raw salary.

Are physical therapy professionals in demand in Colorado?

About 5,630 people work in this field in Colorado (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +10.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Physical Therapy nationally — Colorado pay is 1% below the national median. See the full Physical Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Maybe — physical therapy is meaningful, in-demand, and well-paid, but the required doctorate (DPT) means heavy debt that can take years to clear. Worth it if you're committed to the field; risky if you're chasing pure ROI.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Meaningful, hands-on health-care work
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Strong, above-median pay
  • Varied settings: clinics, hospitals, sports, home health
  • Autonomy and direct patient relationships

Cons

  • Requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (3 years post-bachelor's)
  • High student debt relative to salary
  • Physically demanding day-to-day
  • Insurance/productivity pressure in many clinics

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People committed to health care long-term
  • Those who want autonomy and patient contact
  • Anyone who can limit DPT debt

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to take on graduate debt
  • Those seeking a fast, cheap entry

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Physical Therapy is worth it — titles link to the original threads.