Physical Therapist in Pueblo, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Pueblo Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Pueblo isn't a high-cost coastal metropolis, but it’s not a sleepy backwater either. For Physical Therapists (PTs), the compensation reflects this middle-ground reality. The median salary for PTs in the Pueblo metro area is $97,436/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.84/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $99,710/year, but the trade-off is a significantly lower cost of living.

The job market is stable, with approximately 222 jobs available in the metro area. The 10-year job growth projection for PTs in Colorado is a healthy 14%, driven by an aging population and increased awareness of preventative and rehabilitative care. Pueblo’s specific demand is bolstered by its role as a regional medical hub for southern Colorado, drawing patients from surrounding rural counties.

To give you a clearer picture of earning potential based on experience, here’s a breakdown. Note that these are estimates based on local market data and the provided median.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$80,000 - $90,000	Often starts in acute care or SNFs. New grads may have more leverage in rural placements.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$95,000 - $105,000	This is where the median salary of $97,436 typically lands. Specialization begins to pay off.
Senior (8-15 years)	$105,000 - $115,000	Roles in leadership, education, or high-demand specialties.
Expert/Specialist (15+ years)	$115,000+	Clinic directors, OCS/SCS certified specialists, or those in niche outpatient ortho/sports.

When you compare Pueblo to other Colorado cities, the disparity becomes clear. Denver and Boulder see median salaries closer to $105,000+, but a 1BR apartment there can easily cost $1,500-$2,000/month. Colorado Springs is a closer comparator; its median salary for PTs is roughly $98,500, but its cost of living is higher than Pueblo's. In Pueblo, your salary stretches further.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get down to brass tacks. Earning the median salary of $97,436/year is one thing; taking home the pay is another. Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a single PT in Pueblo. (Note: These are estimates; actual taxes and deductions will vary.)

• Gross Monthly Income: $8,120
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$2,200
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$5,920

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Housing (1BR Apt): $881 (Metro Average)
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet): $180
• Car Payment & Insurance: $400 (Pueblo is car-dependent)
• Groceries: $400
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered): $300
• Student Loans (Avg. PT Debt: ~$90k): $1,000
• Retirement & Savings (15%): $1,200
• Discretionary (Entertainment, etc.): $559

Can you afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Pueblo is approximately $285,000. With a $50,000 down payment (20%), your mortgage (PITI) would be around $1,400-$1,500/month, which is manageable on a PT’s salary. Many PTs I know buy homes within 2-3 years of moving here, often in the North Side or Bessemer neighborhoods.

Where the Jobs Are: Pueblo's Major Employers

Pueblo’s healthcare ecosystem is anchored by a few key players. Most job openings will be with these entities or their affiliated networks.

1. Parkview Medical Center: The largest employer in the region. They have a robust PT/OT department for inpatient rehab, acute care, and a busy outpatient orthopedics center. Hiring Trend: Steady, with occasional openings for specialty certs in vestibular or pelvic health.
2. St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center (Centura Health): A major competitor to Parkview. Their PT services are integrated with their orthopedic and neurological specialties. Hiring Trend: Often seeks PTs with experience in ortho and sports rehab. They value the OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification.
3. HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Pueblo: A dedicated inpatient rehab facility. This is a prime spot for PTs who love high-intensity neuro and ortho cases. Hiring Trend: Consistent need for PTs, especially those with experience in stroke, spinal cord, and traumatic brain injury rehab.
4. Pueblo Community College (PCC): While not a direct employer for clinical PTs, PCC’s Allied Health programs are a pipeline for local PTA graduates and offer continuing education opportunities. Some PTs take adjunct faculty roles here.
5. Select Physical Therapy / ATI Physical Therapy: These national outpatient chains have a strong presence in Pueblo, particularly in the growing University Park and Pueblo West areas. They often have the most openings for new grads. Hiring Trend: High volume, but be prepared for productivity-based models.
6. Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHIP): A state facility with a unique need for PTs in its long-term care and psychiatric rehabilitation units. Hiring Trend: Niche, but stable state employment with great benefits.
7. Private Practices: Several independent orthopedic and sports medicine clinics operate in the city. They offer more autonomy and often a better work-life balance but may have less structured benefits.

Getting Licensed in Colorado

Colorado’s licensing process is straightforward but requires planning. The Colorado Board of Physical Therapy (under the Department of Regulatory Agencies - DORA) oversees this.

Requirements:

• Education: A CAPTE-accredited DPT degree.
• Exams: Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam.
• Background Check: A fingerprint-based criminal background check is required.
• Jurisprudence Exam: This is an open-book, online exam specific to Colorado laws and rules. It’s relatively easy but mandatory.

Costs & Timeline:

• NPTE: ~$485 (taken after graduation).
• Colorado Jurisprudence Exam: ~$50.
• Licensure Application Fee: ~$150.
• Background Check: ~$40.

Timeline: From graduation to holding a Colorado license, plan for 3-4 months. This includes waiting for your final transcripts, scheduling the NPTE (which is offered every 2-3 months), and processing time with the board. Insider Tip: Submit your application to the Colorado Board before you take the NPTE. You can be granted "conditional" status, which speeds up the final licensure once you pass.

Best Neighborhoods for Physical Therapists

Where you live in Pueblo drastically affects your commute and lifestyle. Here’s a local’s guide.

Neighborhood	Vibe	Typical 1BR Rent	Commute to Major Hospitals	Best For
North Side	Historic, walkable, near the Riverwalk. Older homes, some rentals.	$800 - $950	5-10 mins to Parkview/St. Mary-Corwin	PTs who want a classic Pueblo feel, quick commute, and walkability.
University Park	Family-oriented, newer homes, good schools. Close to PCC.	$900 - $1,100	10-15 mins to hospitals; 5 mins to Select/ATI clinics	Newer grads or those planning families. Safe and quiet.
Pueblo West	Suburban, newer developments, larger lots. Strict HOA rules.	$1,000 - $1,300	15-20 mins to hospitals	PTs wanting more space, a suburban feel, and don't mind a longer commute.
Bessemer	Blue-collar, gritty, undergoing revitalization. Very affordable.	$700 - $850	7-12 mins to hospitals	Budget-conscious PTs, those who don’t mind an urban edge.
Downtown / Union Ave	Revitalizing, lofts, breweries, arts scene.	$950 - $1,200	5-8 mins to hospitals	Young, single PTs who want nightlife and a vibrant, walkable scene.

Insider Tip: Traffic in Pueblo is minimal. A "bad" commute is 20 minutes. This gives you flexibility to live in more affordable areas like Bessemer and still be close to everything.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Pueblo isn’t a dead end for your career; it’s a platform. The 10-year job growth of 14% ensures demand, but your personal growth depends on specialization.

Specialty Premiums: While specific salary bumps aren't always transparent, earning a board certification can lead to a $5,000-$15,000 salary increase, especially in private practice or hospital systems. The most valued specialties in Pueblo are:

• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS): In high demand for outpatient and sports clinics.
• Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS): Critical for inpatient rehab (HealthSouth) and CMHIP.
• Geriatric Certified Specialist (GCS): With a growing retiree population, this is increasingly valuable.

Advancement Paths: From a staff PT, you can move into:

1. Lead PT / Clinical Coordinator: Managing a team at a hospital or outpatient center.
2. Education: Becoming a clinical instructor for PCC or a local university’s DPT program.
3. Private Practice Owner: Several local PTs have successfully opened their own clinics, capitalizing on the underserved market for niche services like pelvic health or vestibular rehab.
4. Home Health: This is a lucrative and growing field in southern Colorado, offering autonomy and higher per-visit rates.

10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain robust. Pueblo’s aging infrastructure and population will require more PTs for joint replacements, stroke rehab, and chronic disease management. The key will be to specialize early and build a reputation in the tight-knit medical community.

The Verdict: Is Pueblo Right for You?

The decision to move to Pueblo is a lifestyle choice as much as a career one.

Pros	Cons
Extremely affordable cost of living. You can buy a home early in your career.	Limited entertainment and cultural amenities compared to Denver or Colorado Springs.
Low-stress, short commutes. You spend more time living, less time driving.	Air quality can be poor due to geography and industry.
Strong, stable job market with major medical employers.	Not a "destination" city. Can feel isolated if you crave frequent travel or big-city events.
Close to outdoor recreation. Easy access to the Wet Mountains, Lake Pueblo State Park, and day trips to Salida/Buena Vista.	Wages, while adequate, are lower than in major metro areas.
Tight-knit professional community. It’s easy to network and collaborate.	Economy is less diversified than larger cities.

Final Recommendation: Pueblo is an excellent choice for PTs who prioritize financial stability, work-life balance, and a slower pace of life. If you want to pay off student debt quickly, buy a home, and enjoy easy access to the Colorado outdoors without the hassle and cost of a major city, Pueblo is a hidden gem. It’s not for the PT who dreams of a cutting-edge, high-profile career in a coastal metropolis, but for the pragmatic professional who values community and quality of life, it’s hard to beat.

FAQs

1. Is it easy to find a job as a new grad in Pueblo?
Yes, especially if you’re flexible. The national chains (Select, ATI) and large hospitals (Parkview, St. Mary-Corwin) frequently hire new grads. It's a good market for getting your foot in the door, but you’ll likely need to be open to working in a variety of settings (e.g., starting in home health or SNF before landing an outpatient ortho job).

2. What’s the demand for specialized PTs (e.g., pelvic health, vestibular) in Pueblo?
It’s growing but underserved. There are a few dedicated specialists, but the demand is there. If you have—or are willing to get—post-doctoral training in pelvic health, vestibular rehab, or oncology, you can carve out a lucrative niche. This is a prime opportunity for entrepreneurship.

3. How does the cost of living really feel day-to-day?
It’s liberating. You can afford a decent apartment, a reliable car, and still have money for hobbies and savings. A nice dinner out is $25-$40 per person, not $80+. Groceries and utilities are noticeably cheaper. The biggest expense is your car, as public transit is limited.

4. What’s the professional community like?
Very collaborative and accessible. The Colorado Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) has an active Southern Colorado district. It’s easy to meet everyone in the field at local meetings or continuing education events. There’s less cutthroat competition than in saturated markets.

5. Is Pueblo a good place to start a family?
For many, yes. The cost of living allows for single-income households or significant savings. The school districts are adequate (with some excellent charter options), and the city is generally safe, with a strong sense of community. The main drawback for families is the limited variety of extracurricular activities compared to larger cities.

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Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) - Board of Physical Therapy, Zillow Rent Data, Sperling's Cost of Living Index, Local Job Postings (Indeed, LinkedIn).