How does a Physical Therapist's salary in Columbus compare to the rest of Ohio?

Columbus's cost of living index is 90 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Physical Therapist earning the city-adjusted median of $89,739 earns $25,139 more than the median household income in Columbus ($64,600).

Physical Therapist Salary in Columbus, OH — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Columbus's cost of living (index: 90). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Physical Therapist Salary in Columbus — Key Numbers

$89,739

Median Salary

$73,215

25th Percentile

$106,929

75th Percentile

$125,055

90th Percentile

National median (Physical Therapist)$99,710

vs. National median-10.0%

Columbus median household income$64,600

vs. City household income+38.9%

Cost of Living in Columbus

Cost of Living Index

90(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,199/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio16.0%

Annual rent cost$14,388

Median Home Price$265,000

Home Price / Salary3.0×

20% Down Payment$53,000

Years to save (20% rate)3.0 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Columbus

3.8%

Unemployment Rate

2,150,000

Metro Population

23 min

Avg Commute

33.2

Median Age

Columbus has a metro population of 2,150,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 3.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Columbus

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Cost of Living — Columbus

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Physical Therapist Salary in Ohio

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Columbus

Physician$206,370 Chief Executive Officer$189,000 Dentist$157,959 IT Manager$152,559 Marketing Manager$141,858 Lawyer$131,184

Physical Therapist Salary — Other Ohio Cities

Cleveland, OH$84,754 Cincinnati, OH$90,736 Dayton, OH$82,759 Akron, OH$82,759 Toledo, OH$79,768

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Columbus, OH?

The estimated median salary for a Physical Therapist in Columbus is $89,739 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $99,710 adjusted by Columbus's cost of living index (90). The typical salary range runs from $73,215 (25th percentile) to $106,929 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $125,055.

Is Columbus affordable for a Physical Therapist?

On a $89,739 annual salary, a Physical Therapist in Columbus would spend approximately 16.0% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,199/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Columbus relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $265,000 is 3.0× the annual salary.

How does a Physical Therapist's salary compare to Columbus's overall income?

Columbus's median household income is $64,600. A Physical Therapist earning the city-adjusted median of $89,739 earns 38.9% more than the typical Columbus household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Physical Therapist — National Physical Therapist in Ohio All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.