Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary Calculator

Below is a complete guide to understanding your pediatric physical therapist salary. Each section addresses a specific question about compensation, job markets, and the factors that move your pay up or down.

1. What Are the Salary Ranges for a Pediatric Physical Therapist?
2. What Is the Entry Level Salary for a Pediatric Physical Therapist?
3. How Much Does a Pediatric Physical Therapist Earn at Entry Level vs Senior Level?
4. Where Are the Best Job Markets for Pediatric Physical Therapists?
5. Which Employers Hire Pediatric Physical Therapists and What Do They Pay?
6. What Does a Pediatric Physical Therapist Do That Affects Salary?
7. What Factors Push a Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary Higher?
8. What Factors Lead to a Lower Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary?
9. What Benefits Do Pediatric Physical Therapists Typically Receive?
10. What Skills Affect a Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary?
11. How Does Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary Vary by Different States and Cities?

The salary calculator uses a national median hourly rate of $42.50 as its baseline. Under a standard full-time assumption of 40 hours per week, that translates to roughly $88,400 per year before adjustments. Once you factor in experience level, education, and job market size, the calculator produces a low-to-high range that typically spans from about $35.00 to $55.00 per hour, or approximately $72,800 to $114,400 annually for full-time employment.

These ranges shift meaningfully based on your inputs. A pediatric PT with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and seven years of experience working in a large metro area will see the calculator output the upper end of that band, while a clinician with a transitional master's degree and two years of experience in a small market will fall closer to the lower end. Users who work part-time or non-standard hours can adjust the weekly hour setting, and the weekly, monthly, and annual figures recalculate automatically.

Entry level for a pediatric physical therapist is defined within the calculator as a clinician with limited professional experience (typically zero to two years post-licensure) and a baseline education credential. Most new graduates hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), which is now the standard entry-level degree, but the calculator also accounts for those with older transitional master's degrees or those who have not yet completed pediatric-specific residencies or board certification.

When you set the experience slider to the lowest range and select a standard DPT without advanced certifications, the calculator produces an entry-level hourly range of approximately $35.00 to $40.00. For a full-time, 40-hour week schedule, this corresponds to an annual range of roughly $72,800 to $83,200. In a small or mid-sized job market, expect the lower portion of that band. In a large metro with high demand for early intervention and school-based services — such as Chicago or Houston — the calculator adjusts upward toward the higher end.

Entry-level pediatric PTs often begin in settings like outpatient pediatric clinics, school districts, or early intervention programs where the caseload complexity is manageable while the clinician develops hands-on pediatric skills. The salary calculator reflects this by keeping estimates conservative until experience and education inputs increase.

The salary calculator draws a clear distinction between early-career and senior-level pediatric physical therapists through its years of experience and education level adjustments. An entry-level clinician with one year of experience and a DPT will see estimates clustered around $35.00–$40.00/hour ($72,800–$83,200 annually), whereas a senior-level pediatric PT — defined as someone with 10 or more years of specialized experience, board certification in pediatrics (PCS), and potentially a clinical leadership role — can see the calculator output $48.00–$55.00/hour ($99,800–$114,400 annually).

The gap between entry and senior levels is driven by accumulated expertise in conditions like cerebral palsy, torticollis, and developmental coordination disorder, as well as the ability to manage complex multi-disciplinary care plans. Senior pediatric PTs who serve as clinical directors or program leads in hospital-based settings command the highest end. The calculator captures this progression — as you increase the experience and education inputs, the hourly rate adjusts upward, and all downstream pay period calculations follow.

The strongest job markets for pediatric physical therapists combine high population density (which generates larger pediatric caseloads), robust early intervention and school-based mandates, and the presence of children's hospitals and university medical centers that anchor demand.

The salary calculator applies a market-size adjustment factor — selecting "large metro" pushes estimates higher than "mid-sized" or "small" market choices. Cities with nationally ranked children's hospitals, such as Boston (Boston Children's Hospital) and Houston (Texas Children's Hospital), sustain consistently strong demand that supports the upper end of the salary band.

Pediatric physical therapists work across hospital systems, outpatient specialty clinics, school districts, early intervention agencies, and staffing companies, each with its own pay structure.

When using the salary calculator, selecting W-2 versus 1099 classification changes the after-tax estimate significantly. Travel or contract pediatric PTs through agencies like Soliant Health may see higher gross hourly rates, but the 1099 self-employment tax burden and lack of employer-paid benefits reduce net take-home pay — the calculator accounts for this when you toggle to 1099.

Pediatric physical therapists evaluate and treat children from infancy through adolescence who have conditions affecting movement, strength, coordination, and functional independence. The specific responsibilities a clinician carries directly influence where their salary falls within the calculator's range.

Conducting comprehensive developmental assessments using standardized tools like the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2) or the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is a core duty. Clinicians who manage complex neuromuscular cases — children with spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or traumatic brain injuries — tend to command higher pay because of the specialized knowledge and clinical reasoning these cases demand. Writing individualized treatment plans, collaborating with occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and orthopedic surgeons, and training parents in home exercise programs are daily expectations.

Pediatric PTs in early intervention programs conduct home visits for children ages birth to three, which adds travel time and requires autonomous clinical decision-making. Those working within school systems must navigate Individualized Education Program (IEP) processes and deliver therapy within educational contexts. Hospital-based clinicians may manage post-surgical rehabilitation for conditions like clubfoot repair or scoliosis correction. Each of these settings carries a different productivity expectation and complexity level, and the salary calculator reflects this through the experience and market-size adjustments — higher complexity and autonomy correspond to higher positioning within the output range.

Several concrete, measurable factors drive salary estimates toward the upper end of the calculator's output.

Board Certification in Pediatrics (PCS): Earning the Pediatric Certified Specialist credential from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties signals advanced competence. Employers at children's hospitals and specialty clinics frequently offer a pay differential of $2.00–$5.00/hour for PCS holders, which the calculator captures when you increase the education level input.

Years of Specialized Pediatric Experience: General physical therapy experience matters less in this niche than dedicated pediatric caseload years. The calculator applies progressively larger adjustments as experience increases, reflecting the market reality that a therapist with eight years exclusively in pediatric neurorehabilitation is worth substantially more than a generalist with equal total years.

Large Metro Market: Selecting a large metro in the calculator triggers a positive salary adjustment factor. Cities like New York City, Boston, and San Diego have dense pediatric populations, multiple children's hospitals, and competitive hiring environments that inflate wages.

NICU and Acute Care Experience: Pediatric PTs trained in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) therapy occupy an especially narrow talent pool. Facilities with Level IV NICUs pay premiums for this expertise.

Bilingual Fluency: In markets like Los Angeles, Houston, and Phoenix, fluency in Spanish (or other in-demand languages) enables therapists to serve broader patient populations and often qualifies for employer language differentials.

Travel or Contract Work: Accepting assignments through staffing agencies can push gross hourly rates above $55.00, though this comes with trade-offs addressed in the benefits section.

Certain conditions reliably place salary estimates at the lower end of the calculator's range, and understanding them helps set realistic expectations.

Small or Rural Markets: Selecting a small market size in the calculator applies a downward adjustment. Rural areas and small towns typically have fewer pediatric specialty employers, lower cost of living, and less competitive hiring pressure, all of which compress wages. A pediatric PT in a small Indiana or North Carolina market may see hourly rates $5.00–$8.00 below the national median.

Limited Experience: New graduates entering their first pediatric role will see the calculator output the lowest portion of the range. Without proven competency in handling complex pediatric diagnoses, employers set starting offers conservatively.

School District Employment: While school-based positions offer schedule stability and summer breaks, public school pay scales are often fixed by district salary schedules that lag behind hospital or outpatient clinic rates. Annual figures can fall $10,000–$15,000 below comparable hospital roles.

Part-Time or Reduced Hours: The calculator scales weekly, monthly, and annual estimates directly from the hours-per-week input. A pediatric PT working 25 hours per week will see annual estimates drop proportionally, even if the hourly rate remains competitive.

Non-Specialized Caseload: Clinicians whose caseloads mix general orthopedic adult patients with occasional pediatric cases do not command the same premium as dedicated pediatric specialists. The lack of subspecialty depth keeps pay closer to the general PT median.

1099 Classification Without Rate Adjustment: Accepting a 1099 contract at the same gross hourly rate as a W-2 position results in lower net take-home pay due to self-employment taxes. The calculator illustrates this clearly when toggling between classifications.

Benefits vary significantly based on employer type and whether the clinician is classified as a W-2 employee or a 1099 independent contractor, which is why the salary calculator includes this as a toggle for after-tax estimates.

W-2 employees at children's hospitals and large healthcare systems like Children's Healthcare of Atlanta or Texas Children's Hospital typically receive employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance, employer-matched 401(k) or 403(b) retirement contributions (commonly 3%–6% match), paid time off (15–25 days annually depending on tenure), continuing education reimbursement ($1,000–$2,500 per year), and malpractice insurance coverage. Many hospital systems also offer student loan repayment assistance — a significant benefit given that DPT graduates carry a median debt exceeding $100,000.

1099 contractors working through agencies like Soliant Health or Pediatric Therapeutic Services receive none of these benefits by default. They must fund their own health insurance, pay the full 15.3% self-employment tax (rather than splitting FICA with an employer), and manage their own retirement contributions. The salary calculator accounts for this by adjusting the after-tax output when you select 1099 classification and enter a 401(k) contribution percentage — even with a higher gross hourly rate, the net take-home for a 1099 contractor can be comparable to or lower than a W-2 employee earning $5.00–$8.00 less per hour.

School-district positions often include state pension plans, which can be highly valuable over a long career, plus adherence to the academic calendar that provides summers off — effectively a non-monetary benefit that reduces the annual working months.

Technical and interpersonal skills directly influence where a pediatric PT falls within the salary calculator's output range, because employers price these competencies into their offers.

Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT/Bobath): Certification in NDT is one of the most recognized advanced training credentials in pediatric rehabilitation. Therapists who complete the intensive NDT certification course demonstrate proficiency in treating children with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions, and this credential routinely commands a pay premium at specialty clinics and hospital systems.

Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment Expertise: The ability to evaluate for, recommend, and fit pediatric wheelchairs, standing frames, gait trainers, and custom orthotics makes a therapist more valuable to employers. Facilities that serve children with severe physical disabilities depend heavily on this skill set.

Aquatic Therapy Certification: Clinics with aquatic therapy programs pay higher rates for therapists who can lead pool-based interventions for conditions like spinal muscular atrophy and juvenile arthritis.

Standardized Assessment Proficiency: Expertise in administering and interpreting tools such as the Bayley Scales, Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency strengthens a clinician's diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning — skills that hospitals expect in mid-career and senior-level hires.

Parent and Caregiver Education: Pediatric PT is inherently family-centered. Clinicians who can effectively coach parents through home exercise programs and developmental strategies improve patient outcomes and retain families as long-term patients, which employers recognize through advancement and pay increases.

Documentation and Compliance: Efficient, accurate documentation that meets insurance authorization requirements (particularly for Medicaid early intervention services) directly affects clinic revenue. Therapists who minimize claim denials are operationally more valuable.

Location is one of the most impactful variables in the salary calculator. State income taxes, cost of living, pediatric population density, and the concentration of children's hospitals all shift the estimated pay range. Below are state-by-state and city-specific breakdowns that explain how the calculator adjusts for each location.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in New York?

New York has a high state income tax rate and elevated cost of living, particularly in the New York City metropolitan area. However, the demand for pediatric PTs is exceptionally strong due to the state's robust early intervention program (mandated under Part C of IDEA), multiple world-class children's hospitals, and a large pediatric population. The salary calculator applies a large-metro uplift when New York City is selected, pushing gross hourly rates toward $45.00–$58.00. After-tax estimates reflect New York's state and city income taxes, which reduce take-home pay noticeably compared to states without income tax. Clinicians in upstate markets like Rochester or Syracuse will see lower gross rates but also face a lower cost of living.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in California?

California consistently ranks among the highest-paying states for physical therapists. The state's large pediatric population, extensive early intervention network, and the presence of institutions like CHOC Children's and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital support strong demand. California also has substantial state income taxes, which the calculator factors into after-tax estimates. When you select California and a large metro, expect gross hourly estimates in the $44.00–$56.00 range. The 1099 classification is common among California-based early intervention providers, and the calculator highlights the self-employment tax impact for contractors in this state.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Florida?

Florida has no state income tax, which significantly boosts after-tax take-home pay in the calculator's output. Gross hourly rates for pediatric PTs in Florida tend to be moderate — around $38.00–$49.00 — because the cost of living outside South Florida is lower than coastal Northeast or West Coast markets. However, the growing pediatric population and expanding healthcare infrastructure in cities like Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville are increasing demand. Nemours Children's Health and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital are major employers driving the upper end of the range.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Texas?

Like Florida, Texas levies no state income tax, giving pediatric PTs a significant after-tax advantage that the calculator captures. Texas also has an enormous pediatric population and several nationally ranked children's hospitals — Texas Children's Hospital in Houston is the largest pediatric hospital in the country. Gross hourly rates in Houston and Dallas range from $40.00–$52.00, and the absence of state income tax means the after-tax output is among the most favorable nationally. Smaller Texas markets like San Antonio and El Paso will show lower gross rates due to the mid-sized market adjustment.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Michigan?

Michigan has a moderate state income tax and a mixed job market for pediatric PTs. The Detroit metro area, anchored by C.S. Mott Children's Hospital (University of Michigan) and Children's Hospital of Michigan, offers large-metro salary levels around $40.00–$51.00 hourly. Outside of Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids, the market contracts and the calculator will apply a smaller-market adjustment. Michigan's relatively lower cost of living compared to coastal states means that moderate gross rates still translate to reasonable purchasing power in the after-tax output.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Georgia?

Georgia's pediatric PT market is anchored heavily by the Atlanta metro area and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), one of the largest pediatric health systems in the country. CHOA's two main campuses generate strong demand and competitive pay. The calculator places Atlanta-based pediatric PTs in the $39.00–$50.00 hourly range. Georgia has a moderate state income tax, and cost of living in Atlanta has risen in recent years, which the salary calculator reflects through its state tax and market-size adjustments. Rural Georgia markets will see notably lower estimates.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Ohio?

Ohio is home to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center — two top-ranked pediatric institutions that employ significant numbers of pediatric PTs. The calculator shows hourly rates of $38.00–$50.00 for large-metro Ohio locations. Ohio's state income tax is moderate, and cost of living is below the national average in most metro areas. This combination means that after-tax purchasing power can be competitive despite lower gross figures. Smaller markets like Dayton or Akron will trigger lower calculator outputs.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in North Carolina?

North Carolina's pediatric PT market centers on the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) and Charlotte. Duke Children's Hospital and Levine Children's Hospital are key employers. The state has a moderate income tax and a cost of living that varies significantly between urban and rural areas. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $38.00–$49.00 for large metro areas in North Carolina. The state's growing population of young families is increasing demand, but rural and small-town positions still fall toward the lower end of the range.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Illinois?

Illinois salary estimates are heavily influenced by the Chicago metro area, which is discussed in detail below. Outside of Chicago, markets like Springfield and Peoria are mid-sized and generate lower calculator outputs. Illinois has a flat state income tax that reduces after-tax estimates, but Chicago's high demand — driven by institutions like Lurie Children's Hospital and the extensive public school system — keeps gross rates competitive at $42.00–$54.00 hourly for the metro.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Maryland?

Maryland benefits from proximity to Washington, DC, and the presence of Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins Children's Center, both of which are nationally recognized pediatric rehabilitation employers. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $42.00–$54.00 for the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Maryland has a graduated state income tax that is among the higher rates on the East Coast, so the after-tax output will be lower than in neighboring Virginia for equivalent gross rates.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Indiana?

Indiana offers a lower cost of living and a moderate state income tax. Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in Indianapolis is the primary pediatric specialty employer. The calculator shows hourly rates of $37.00–$47.00 for the Indianapolis metro. Smaller Indiana markets will see rates below $37.00 hourly. The after-tax output benefits from Indiana's relatively low flat income tax rate, which keeps take-home pay competitive despite the lower gross figures.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Virginia?

Virginia's pediatric PT market is split between Northern Virginia (which benefits from Washington, DC-area demand and cost of living) and the rest of the state. Children's National Hospital serves many Northern Virginia families, and the University of Virginia Children's Hospital anchors the Charlottesville market. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $40.00–$52.00 for Northern Virginia, dropping to $36.00–$45.00 in smaller markets like Roanoke. Virginia's state income tax is moderate, and its proximity to DC-area employers creates cross-state competition that supports wages.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Connecticut?

Connecticut has a high cost of living and a graduated state income tax that takes a meaningful bite out of gross pay. Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford is the state's primary pediatric hospital employer. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $43.00–$55.00, reflecting the elevated cost environment. After-tax estimates show the impact of Connecticut's tax structure, but the state's school-based therapy market is also strong due to well-funded public school systems that contract with or directly employ pediatric PTs.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in New Jersey?

New Jersey has among the highest state income tax burdens and cost of living in the country. However, proximity to both the New York City and Philadelphia metro areas creates strong cross-border demand. Children's Specialized Hospital (part of RWJBarnabas Health) is the largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the country and a major employer. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $43.00–$55.00 for New Jersey locations. After-tax estimates clearly show the impact of New Jersey's state taxes, but the state's mandatory early intervention services and dense population sustain robust demand.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Chicago?

Chicago is one of the strongest pediatric PT markets in the Midwest. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and the Chicago Public Schools system collectively generate high demand. The salary calculator applies a large-metro adjustment, producing hourly estimates of $42.00–$54.00 and annual estimates of $87,400–$112,300. Illinois state income tax applies, and Chicago's municipal cost of living is elevated, both of which reduce the after-tax output relative to Texas or Florida cities with comparable gross rates.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has an expansive pediatric population and a deep network of early intervention providers, school-based therapy programs, and outpatient clinics. Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) is a top-tier employer. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $44.00–$56.00, reflecting the large-metro size and high cost of living. California's state income tax further reduces after-tax take-home pay. Bilingual pediatric PTs (English-Spanish) are in particularly high demand in Los Angeles, which can push offers toward the upper range.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in New York City (NYC)?

New York City represents the top of the pay scale for pediatric PTs but also the top of the tax and cost-of-living burden. The salary calculator produces the highest gross hourly rates — $45.00–$58.00 — driven by intense demand from the city's early intervention system (which serves over 70,000 children annually), multiple children's hospitals, and a vast public school network. NYC also levies a city income tax on top of New York State taxes, which the calculator captures when you select New York as the state. The after-tax output demonstrates that high gross pay in NYC does not always translate to proportionally high take-home pay.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Houston?

Houston is home to Texas Children's Hospital — the largest children's hospital in the world by volume — along with Memorial Hermann Children's and TIRR Memorial Hermann for pediatric rehabilitation. The salary calculator produces hourly estimates of $40.00–$52.00, and because Texas has no state income tax, the after-tax take-home pay is among the highest nationally for equivalent gross rates. Houston's cost of living remains below that of major coastal metros, further amplifying purchasing power.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Phoenix?

Phoenix's rapidly growing metro area has seen increased demand for pediatric PTs, driven by population growth among young families. Phoenix Children's Hospital is the primary specialty employer. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $39.00–$50.00. Arizona has a relatively low state income tax, which keeps after-tax estimates favorable. The market is large enough for the calculator's large-metro adjustment, though pay rates have not yet reached the levels of coastal cities due to lower overall cost of living and less acute competition among employers.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Atlanta?

Atlanta's pediatric PT market revolves around Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, which operates Scottish Rite and Egleston campuses and is the second-busiest pediatric health system in the United States. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $39.00–$50.00. Georgia's moderate state income tax and Atlanta's rising but still mid-range cost of living make the after-tax output competitive. The city's extensive early intervention and school-based therapy network provides additional employment channels beyond hospital settings.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in San Diego?

San Diego offers a strong quality-of-life appeal alongside solid pediatric PT demand. Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego is a major employer. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $43.00–$55.00, reflecting San Diego's large-metro status and California's high cost of living. State income taxes reduce after-tax pay meaningfully, and the cost of housing in San Diego is among the highest in the country. The calculator's after-tax output helps clinicians realistically compare a San Diego offer against options in lower-cost markets.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Washington, DC?

Washington, DC is a unique market because Children's National Hospital is one of the top-ranked pediatric facilities in the country, and the District draws clinicians from Virginia and Maryland. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $44.00–$56.00. DC has its own income tax, and the cost of living is high. However, the concentration of federal employees with robust insurance plans and the density of pediatric specialty care create sustained demand. The calculator's state-selection feature lets users compare DC, Virginia, and Maryland tax impacts side by side.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Boston?

Boston is arguably the premier pediatric PT market in the country when measured by institutional prestige. Boston Children's Hospital, Franciscan Children's, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital provide deep demand for specialized pediatric clinicians. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $44.00–$57.00. Massachusetts has a flat state income tax and a very high cost of living, particularly for housing. The after-tax output reflects these realities, but Boston's concentration of clinical research opportunities and residency programs makes it a market where advanced credentials are rewarded more than in almost any other city.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Dallas?

Dallas-Fort Worth is the fourth-largest metro in the country, and its pediatric PT market is supported by Children's Health (formerly Children's Medical Center Dallas), Cook Children's Health Care System in Fort Worth, and Scottish Rite for Children. The calculator produces hourly estimates of $40.00–$51.00. Texas's lack of state income tax provides a strong after-tax advantage, and the cost of living in DFW remains below that of comparably sized metros like New York or Los Angeles. The calculator's after-tax output for Dallas consistently ranks among the most favorable for take-home purchasing power.

What Is the Pediatric Physical Therapist Salary in Seattle?

Seattle's pediatric PT market is driven by Seattle Children's Hospital, one of the top-ranked pediatric hospitals in the western United States. The salary calculator produces hourly estimates of $44.00–$56.00. Washington State has no state income tax, which makes the after-tax output exceptionally strong — comparable gross rates in Seattle yield higher take-home pay than in California or New York. The cost of living in Seattle is high, particularly housing, but the tax-free advantage partially offsets this. The calculator lets you see this difference clearly when comparing Seattle against cities in high-tax states.