Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Physical Therapist's pay go, state by state?
A Physical Therapist's pay leaves the most room in California — about $7,511/mo take-home against $1,969/mo typical rent — and the least in Montana.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $7,511/mo | $1,969/mo | 26% |
| New Mexico | $6,529/mo | $1,034/mo | 16% |
| Alaska | $6,800/mo | $1,361/mo | 20% |
| Illinois | $6,683/mo | $1,246/mo | 19% |
| Texas | $6,764/mo | $1,328/mo | 20% |
| Ohio | $6,399/mo | $986/mo | 15% |
| Oklahoma | $6,376/mo | $970/mo | 15% |
| West Virginia | $6,254/mo | $848/mo | 14% |
| Louisiana | $6,430/mo | $1,028/mo | 16% |
| Indiana | $6,410/mo | $1,022/mo | 16% |
| Michigan | $6,449/mo | $1,072/mo | 17% |
| Delaware | $6,661/mo | $1,321/mo | 20% |
| Pennsylvania | $6,516/mo | $1,176/mo | 18% |
| Mississippi | $6,268/mo | $933/mo | 15% |
| Alabama | $6,286/mo | $967/mo | 15% |
| Wisconsin | $6,349/mo | $1,033/mo | 16% |
| Tennessee | $6,415/mo | $1,111/mo | 17% |
| Nevada | $6,760/mo | $1,478/mo | 22% |
| Connecticut | $6,713/mo | $1,483/mo | 22% |
| Kansas | $6,226/mo | $1,025/mo | 16% |
| Arkansas | $6,102/mo | $903/mo | 15% |
| South Carolina | $6,323/mo | $1,131/mo | 18% |
| Georgia | $6,493/mo | $1,320/mo | 20% |
| Oregon | $6,565/mo | $1,431/mo | 22% |
| New Jersey | $6,761/mo | $1,656/mo | 24% |
| Iowa | $5,993/mo | $932/mo | 16% |
| Minnesota | $6,276/mo | $1,230/mo | 20% |
| North Carolina | $6,164/mo | $1,147/mo | 19% |
| Nebraska | $6,024/mo | $1,017/mo | 17% |
| Missouri | $5,989/mo | $997/mo | 17% |
| Arizona | $6,403/mo | $1,419/mo | 22% |
| Maryland | $6,631/mo | $1,683/mo | 25% |
| Washington | $6,562/mo | $1,641/mo | 25% |
| Rhode Island | $6,207/mo | $1,289/mo | 21% |
| South Dakota | $5,804/mo | $910/mo | 16% |
| Idaho | $6,052/mo | $1,163/mo | 19% |
| New Hampshire | $6,289/mo | $1,424/mo | 23% |
| Kentucky | $5,762/mo | $918/mo | 16% |
| North Dakota | $5,736/mo | $911/mo | 16% |
| Massachusetts | $6,531/mo | $1,716/mo | 26% |
| Maine | $5,888/mo | $1,104/mo | 19% |
| Utah | $6,175/mo | $1,396/mo | 23% |
| Florida | $6,303/mo | $1,542/mo | 24% |
| Wyoming | $5,739/mo | $979/mo | 17% |
| Virginia | $6,291/mo | $1,547/mo | 25% |
| New York | $6,356/mo | $1,621/mo | 26% |
| Vermont | $5,906/mo | $1,207/mo | 20% |
| Hawaii | $6,616/mo | $1,927/mo | 29% |
| Colorado | $6,345/mo | $1,659/mo | 26% |
| District of Columbia | $6,555/mo | $1,900/mo | 29% |
| Montana | $5,526/mo | $1,031/mo | 19% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.