upper level job

Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salary in the United States

How much does a Physical Therapist - Intermediate make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physical Therapist - Intermediate in the United States is $106,120 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, a Physical Therapist - Intermediate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,626
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,970 to $116,330
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,729

Key Factors That Influence Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salaries

A Physical Therapist - Intermediate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physical Therapist - Intermediate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) I (0-2 years): $91,008
  • Physical Therapist - Intermediate (2-4 years): $106,115
  • Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) III (4-7 years): $122,469
  • Physical Therapy Team Supervisor (7+ years): $107,131
  • Clinical Manager of Physical Therapy (7+ years): $114,558
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) I0-2 years$91,008
Physical Therapist - Intermediate2-4 years$106,115
Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) III4-7 years$122,469
Physical Therapy Team Supervisor7+ years$107,131
Clinical Manager of Physical Therapy7+ years$114,558

Top Paying Cities for Physical Therapist - Intermediates

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $133,850
  • San Francisco: $132,380
  • Oakland: $129,590

What Skills Can Increase a Physical Therapist - Intermediate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.47% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • HIPAA (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.47%
CPR 2.4%
HIPAA 1.82%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Physical Therapist - Intermediate's salary.

  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Environmental Safety: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Management Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Alignment $115,671
9%
Environmental Safety $114,610
8%
Management Skills $113,548
7%

Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physical Therapist - Intermediate salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $113,214. While startup companies pay approximate $96,257.

Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $96,257
Growth Stage 51~500 $101,683
Established 501~5000 $109,444
Enterprise 5000+ $113,214

Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physical Therapist - Intermediate roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 5% above the average. Conversely, Physical Therapist - Intermediate positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physical Therapist - Intermediate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Physical Therapist - Intermediate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$111,426$54.05%

How Education impacts a Physical Therapist - Intermediate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physical Therapist - Intermediates enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Physical Therapist - Intermediate with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $99,223 and $104,028).

Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physical Therapist - Intermediate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 1.2%
Associates 1.4%
Bachelors 16.6%
Masters 55.5%
Doctorate 25.1%

Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physical Therapist - Intermediate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$95,970
Average $106,120/year
$116,330
$7,998
Average $8,843/month
$9,694
$1,846
Average $2,041/week
$2,237
$46
Average $51/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $116,330 $9,694 $2,237 $56
Average $106,120 $8,843 $2,041 $51
25th Percentile $95,970 $7,998 $1,846 $46

Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Physical Therapist - Intermediate, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Physical Therapist - Intermediate Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Medical Exercise Physiologist $67,500 -36%
Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) III $122,500 15%

Most common benefits for Physical Therapist - Intermediate

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Physical Therapist - Intermediate

Here are companies hiring for Physical Therapist - Intermediate and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Physical Therapist - Intermediate Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Physical Therapist - Intermediate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Physical Therapist - Intermediate

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Physical Therapist - Intermediate?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Physical Therapist - Intermediate roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.

2. Who gets paid more PA or PT?

Physician assistants and physical therapists earn different average salaries. Based on the latest data, physical therapists have a salary range of $95,040 to $112,490, with a mid-salary of $103,520. In comparison, physician assistants earn an average of $73,731 per year, making physical therapists generally better compensated.

3. Which state pays PT the most?

California, Nevada, Alaska, New Jersey, and Texas are among the top-paying states for physical therapists, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $95,040 to a maximum of $112,490. Other high-paying areas include Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Washington. Consider the cost of living when evaluating these salaries.

4. How can a physical therapist increase salary?

To increase your salary as a physical therapist, consider working in skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies, which often offer competitive pay. Seek positions with bonuses or paid overtime, and consider weekend shifts or travel therapy opportunities. Additionally, relocating to rural areas may provide higher salary prospects, with current salaries ranging from $95,040 to $112,490.

5. Does a DPT make more than a PT?

Yes, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) often earns more than a Physical Therapist (PT). For instance, the salary range for an Intermediate Physical Therapist is between $95,040 and $112,490, with a mid-salary of $103,520. DPTs, especially those in specialized fields like pain management or sports medicine, may earn higher salaries than this range.

6. What is the lowest paid physical therapist?

The lowest paid physical therapist earns a minimum salary of $95,040. This figure represents the starting point for professionals in the field, with the potential to earn a mid-range salary of $103,520 and a maximum salary of $112,490 as they gain experience and expertise.

7. What branch of PT makes the most money?

Physical therapists in the home healthcare service industry tend to earn the highest salaries. Based on recent data, the salary range for intermediate physical therapists is between $95,040 and $112,490, with a median salary of approximately $103,520. This indicates a competitive earning potential in this branch of physical therapy.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job