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Physical Therapist Salary in Arizona: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Physical Therapist salary really buy you in Arizona?

Arizona is near the US average cost of living

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$101,660
Median annual (2024)
+0.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$101,761
COL-adjusted (RPP=99.9)

Arizona Cost of Living Index

Arizona's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 99.9, meaning prices are 0.1% lower the national average. A Physical Therapist earning $101,660 in Arizona has the equivalent purchasing power of $101,761 in an average-cost US state.

AZ: 99.9
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Arizona's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $79,040 $79,119 +$79
25th Percentile (P25) $87,480 $87,567 +$87
Median (P50) $101,660 $101,761 +$101
75th Percentile (P75) $119,900 $120,020 +$120
90th Percentile (P90) $131,380 $131,511 +$131
Key Insight

Arizona's cost of living is close to the national average, so $101,660 keeps most of its value at $101,761 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Physical Therapist (After Cost of Living)

Where does Physical Therapist salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$113,464
RPP 89.2
$111,824
RPP 86.6
$111,734
RPP 88.8
$111,202
RPP 87.3
$111,131
RPP 91.0
$110,982
RPP 90.6
7. Alabama
$110,523
RPP 87.8
8. Wyoming
$110,043
RPP 91.9
9. Kansas
$109,822
RPP 90.0
10. Tennessee
$109,651
RPP 91.8

Arizona ranks #32 out of 50 states for Physical Therapist after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Physical Therapist in Arizona after cost of living?

A Physical Therapist in Arizona earns a median salary of $101,660 per year. After adjusting for Arizona's cost of living (RPP=99.9), the real purchasing power is $101,761 — a +0.1% difference.

Is Arizona expensive to live in?

Arizona's cost of living is 0.1% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Arizona is 99.9 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Physical Therapist in Arizona: $101,660 x (100 / 99.9) = $101,761. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

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