Salary data is based on the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area and applied to Richland using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Exercise Physiologists Salaries in Richland, WA

Average Base Pay

$81,260/yr

40% above national average

Monthly

$6,772

Hourly

$39

Cost Index

Exercise Physiologists in Richland, WA earn an average of $81,260 per year, with most salaries falling between $65,008 and $97,512 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 40% above the national average, Richland ranks among the higher-paying markets for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 92. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Richland.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$61K
Low

$81K
Median

$102K
High

25th percentile: $69K75th percentile: $93K

About Exercise Physiologists

Physical Therapists evaluate and treat patients with movement disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, and post-surgical impairments. Their goal is to restore function, reduce pain, and improve quality of life through evidence-based therapeutic exercise, manual techniques, and patient education. PTs begin each patient encounter with a comprehensive evaluation—reviewing medical history, performing movement assessments, identifying impairments, and establishing baseline functional measures. From this assessment, they develop individualized treatment plans with specific, measurable goals. Treatment sessions incorporate therapeutic exercises to improve strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination; manual therapy techniques to address joint mobility and soft tissue restrictions; and modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and heat or cold. Patient education is integral—PTs teach patients about their conditions, proper body mechanics, home exercise programs, and injury prevention. PTs work in hospitals, outpatient orthopedic clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, sports facilities, and home health settings. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is now the entry-level credential, and many PTs pursue specialty certifications in areas such as sports, orthopedics, neurology, or geriatrics.

What Exercise Physiologists Do

Conduct comprehensive patient evaluations including movement and functional assessments
Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable short- and long-term goals
Implement therapeutic exercise programs to improve strength, mobility, and function
Apply manual therapy techniques to address joint and soft tissue restrictions
Use physical modalities such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation
Educate patients on home exercise programs and injury prevention
Document patient progress and modify treatment plans based on outcomes
Collaborate with physicians, occupational therapists, and other care team members

Key Skills & Qualifications

Musculoskeletal and neurological assessment and diagnosis
Therapeutic exercise prescription and progression
Manual therapy techniques including joint mobilization and soft tissue work
Gait analysis and functional movement assessment
Knowledge of therapeutic modalities and their indications
Patient education and motivational interviewing
Electronic health record documentation
State licensure and CPR certification

Career Path

Physical Therapy Technician / Aide
Physical Therapist (DPT)
Specialty Certified PT (OCS, SCS, NCS)
Clinical Supervisor / Director of Rehabilitation
Private Practice Owner / Healthcare Administrator

Exercise Physiologists Market in Richland, WA

Salary Competitiveness

Richland is one of the stronger-paying markets for Exercise Physiologists, with local salaries running approximately 40% above the national median. This premium typically reflects a combination of higher employer competition, concentrated industry presence, and elevated cost expectations built into local compensation norms.

Cost of Living Impact

Richland sits close to the national cost average. Monthly essential expenses represent about 48% of take-home pay for this role—a midrange ratio that allows for modest savings and discretionary spending, provided housing costs remain stable.

Effective Purchasing Power

After adjusting for local taxes and cost of living, a Exercise Physiologists earning $81,260 in Richland reaches a strong purchasing-power position. The effective standard of living this income supports is materially higher than the gross number alone implies—a useful data point for professionals comparing offers across metro areas.

vs. National Avg

+40%

Cost Pressure

48%

Purchasing Power

Strong

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$59,320

Monthly

$4,943

Weekly

$1,141

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $81,260 for a Exercise Physiologists in Richland translates to roughly $4,943 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,385—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $2,558 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Richland's current market.

How far does this salary go in Richland?

Cost of Living in Richland

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Richland, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,371/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$457/mo

🚗Transportation$124/mo

💡Utilities$161/mo

🏥Healthcare$272/mo

Monthly$2,385

Annual$28,620

Disposable Income$2,558

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Richland to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$4,943

Living Costs

$2,385

Disposable

$2,558

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Comfortable

With a monthly take-home of $4,943, your estimated living costs in Richland are $2,385 ($28,620/yr). This leaves $2,558 per month in disposable income, indicating a comfortable standard of living. Richland's cost of living is 8% below the national average.

Overall, a Exercise Physiologists earning $81,260 in Richland falls into a comfortable lifestyle tier and has meaningful room to save, invest, and absorb unexpected expenses without financial stress. With a cost index of 92, Richland is 8% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Richland continue to evolve.