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Salary Guide for Physical Therapists

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Median Annual Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics cites the median annual salary for physical therapists as $97,720. Take a look at median annual PT salaries by state:

Physical Therapists

National data

Median Salary: $97,720

Projected job growth: 15.1%

10th Percentile: $67,910

25th Percentile: $80,700

75th Percentile: $107,430

90th Percentile: $128,830

Projected job growth: 15.1%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $97,360 $61,160 $135,770
Alaska $102,270 $79,560 $130,660
Arizona $99,200 $76,140 $125,380
Arkansas $98,180 $64,340 $118,720
California $108,230 $80,880 $148,720
Colorado $96,920 $69,840 $126,980
Connecticut $103,290 $76,880 $136,130
Delaware $97,520 $72,030 $125,570
District of Columbia $97,180 $81,370 $123,260
Florida $95,000 $59,300 $125,250
Georgia $98,600 $73,760 $120,310
Hawaii $101,390 $81,750 $146,820
Idaho $85,870 $63,660 $105,970
Illinois $100,310 $61,420 $135,710
Indiana $95,110 $64,940 $114,400
Iowa $84,700 $66,600 $105,670
Kansas $90,850 $67,220 $111,510
Kentucky $85,710 $54,840 $114,380
Louisiana $97,960 $60,800 $128,690
Maine $83,160 $70,280 $103,510
Maryland $97,280 $76,770 $119,240
Massachusetts $99,550 $71,560 $121,050
Michigan $93,600 $61,770 $106,690
Minnesota $91,610 $75,720 $103,010
Mississippi $97,750 $69,300 $126,130
Missouri $88,900 $64,400 $115,520
Montana $82,170 $68,670 $103,380
Nebraska $90,670 $64,900 $112,320
Nevada $101,980 $45,900 $147,630
New Hampshire $93,520 $72,560 $107,430
New Jersey $103,050 $79,820 $136,610
New Mexico $94,260 $53,800 $123,010
New York $97,180 $69,440 $130,500
North Carolina $84,300 $67,190 $116,690
North Dakota $79,860 $66,990 $100,190
Ohio $97,730 $74,280 $121,190
Oklahoma $92,940 $63,660 $118,290
Oregon $98,050 $78,800 $116,500
Pennsylvania $97,510 $73,840 $124,430
Rhode Island $95,640 $67,870 $119,060
South Carolina $86,620 $61,210 $113,980
South Dakota $84,260 $68,860 $103,170
Tennessee $95,380 $66,210 $111,640
Texas $99,970 $69,160 $138,630
Utah $86,280 $61,620 $125,440
Vermont $83,390 $71,080 $108,790
Virginia $97,780 $67,690 $127,920
Washington $100,270 $77,480 $126,380
West Virginia $93,380 $65,100 $122,540
Wisconsin $95,080 $65,780 $118,130
Wyoming $84,820 $63,400 $123,580

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

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There are many factors that affect a physical therapist salary. For instance, where you live will affect how much you’ll earn. The cost of living in your area will cause the average physical therapist salaries in your area to go up or down, accordingly. And of course, your education will factor into the equation, and post-degree certification as well. Do you specialize? Are you board certified? All these things play a part in how much you could earn.

Your work environment will also determine your pay. If you work for a large company, they may be able to offer more in terms of salary and benefits. Your area of specialty or type of certifications you earn can also influence your earning potential.

How Do Physical Therapist Salaries Compare?

Career Median Annual Salary
Physical Therapists $97,720
Occupational Therapists $93,180
Chiropractors $75,380
Physical Therapist Assistants $62,770
Recreational Therapists $51,330

Which Cities Pay the Best?

Take a look at the 10 top-paying metro areas for physical therapists according to the BLS:

Metro Area Median Annual Salary
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $134,520
Santa Rosa, CA $129,830
Napa, CA $128,210
Modesto, CA $126,230
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA $125,250
Chico, CA $125,100
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA $124,500
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA $118,070
Salinas, CA $111,350
Merced, CA $109,850

Physical Therapist Job Outlook

Demand for physical therapy services will come, in large part, due to the aging baby boomer population, who are staying active. And as advancements in medical technology increase the use of outpatient surgery to treat injuries and illnesses, physical therapists will continue to play an important role in recovering quickly. You might also want to consider exploring the career of physical therapy assistant. PTs and PT assistants work in the same field, but the educational path of an assistant is much shorter. Also, PT assistants are among some of the most in-demand allied heath careers.

Employment of physical therapists through 2032.
Much faster than average for all professions (5%) according to the BLS.

15.1%

Job opportunities are likely to be strong for licensed physical therapists in all settings. They may be found particularly in acute hospital, skilled nursing, and orthopedic settings, where the elderly are most often treated. And the outlook is especially favorable in rural areas, because many physical therapists live in highly populated urban and suburban areas.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Physical Therapists

When you’re considering your financial outlook as a physical therapist, don’t forget about the student loan forgiveness options available to healthcare workers. Depending on career path and other factors, many physical therapists and physical therapy assistants may qualify. There are full and partial loan forgiveness programs at the federal and state level, as well as for people in public service careers. If you’re interested in a physical therapy career, it’s a good idea to explore your student loan forgiveness options in advance so you can be aware of what’s available as you enter the job market.