Physical Therapist Salary in 2026
Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions through exercise, manual therapy, and movement training. They restore mobility and reduce pain.
Median Salary
$102,760
$8,563/mo
Entry Level
$84,500
starting pay
Senior Level
$133,600
experienced
Job Growth
+17%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123) at a national median of $102,760 per year (mean $105,280), or $49.40 per hour, with 267,330 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Physical Therapist Overview
Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions through exercise, manual therapy, and movement training. They restore mobility and reduce pain.
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
267K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$49.40/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,563
Physical Therapist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Physical Therapist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Physical Therapist Salary
$117,000
$9,750/month · $4,500/biweekly · $56.25/hr
Physical Therapist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Physical Therapist field.
Entry-level Physical Therapists earn around $84,500, while the top 10% earn $146,700 or more.
Top Paying States for Physical Therapists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $121,000 | +$18,240 |
| New York | $118,000 | +$15,240 |
| Illinois | $107,000 | +$4,240 |
| Texas | $101,000 | $-1,760 |
| Florida | $101,000 | $-1,760 |
Top Paying Cities for Physical Therapists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $108,170 | +$5,410 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $107,700 | +$4,940 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $107,650 | +$4,890 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $105,720 | +$2,960 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $100,870 | $-1,890 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Physical Therapists in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Physical Therapist Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Physical Therapist.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Physical Therapist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Physical Therapist from entry level to expert.
$84,500
0-2 years
$109,000
3-7 years
$133,600
8-14 years
$159,800
15+ years
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Physical Therapist Salary FAQ
How much does a Physical Therapist make in 2026?
The median salary for a Physical Therapist in the United States is $102,760 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123); the mean is $105,280. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $84,500, senior professionals around $133,600, and top earners at $159,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Physical Therapist?
A Physical Therapist typically requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Gait Analysis. Relevant certifications such as NPTE or State Licensure can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Physical Therapists?
The job market for Physical Therapists is projected to grow by 17% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 267K Physical Therapist positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Physical Therapists the most?
The highest-paying states for Physical Therapists include California, Texas, New York. In California, the median salary is approximately $121,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Physical Therapist salary?
To increase your Physical Therapist salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Manual Therapy and Exercise Prescription. Pursue certifications such as NPTE. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $84,500 to $133,600 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Physical Therapist Salary
How we calculate Physical Therapist salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $102,760, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Physical Therapists; BLS mean $105,280; BLS hourly median $49.40.
- Entry-level ($84,500) and senior-level ($133,600) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +17% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 267,330 Physical Therapists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $102,760; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Physical Therapist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physical Therapist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Physical Therapist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Gait Analysis), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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