Chief Physical Therapist Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Physical Therapist in the United States is $106,225 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $116,041
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $96,624 to $111,363
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,884
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View as table View as graph 25% $96,624 10% $87,884 90% $116,041 75% $111,363 $106,225 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Chief Physical Therapist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,363 $9,280 $2,142 $54
Average $106,225 $8,852 $2,043 $51
25th Percentile $96,624 $8,052 $1,858 $46
Check out Chief Physical Therapist Job Openings in the United States
Physical Therapist

U.S. Physical Therapy - Columbus, OH

Physical Therapist

Common Spirit Health - Columbus, OH

Physical Therapist

Interim HealthCare - Columbus, OH

Physical Therapist

OhioHealth - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Chief Physical Therapist Salaries

A Chief Physical Therapist'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 Chief Physical Therapist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Physical Therapist'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $107,181
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $123,692
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,225
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $127,747
  • Expert (over 8 years): $153,295
Levels Salary
Physical ... Level Chief Physical Therapist$107,181
Physical ... Level Chief Physical Therapist$123,692
Chief Phy... Level Chief Physical Therapist$108,225
Physical ... Level Chief Physical Therapist$127,747
Physical ... Level Chief Physical Therapist$153,295
$107,181 0 yr
$123,692 < 2 yrs
$108,225 2-4 yrs
$127,747 5-8 yrs
$153,295 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Chief Physical Therapist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Chief Physical Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $117,612.
  • California: $117,166.
  • Massachusetts: $115,605.

Top Paying Cities for Chief Physical Therapists

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: $133,982
  • San Francisco: $132,515
  • Oakland: $129,722

What Skills Can Increase a Chief Physical Therapist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 13.44% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Guest Service (Mentioned in 1.67% Job Postings): Guest services is a division of the hospitality industry. The goal of guest services is to provide customers with an enjoyable experience, primarily in the hotel and spa industry, sports facilities, and event venues.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 13.44%
Guest Service 1.67%
Food Safety 1.2%
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 Chief Physical Therapist's salary.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Products and Services
$124,283
17%
Analysis
$111,536
5%
Team Management
$110,474
4%
Collaboration
$109,412
3%
Continuous Improvement
$109,412
3%
Presentation
$109,412
3%
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Chief Physical Therapist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Physical Therapist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Chief Physical Therapist positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Chief Physical Therapist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Chief Physical Therapist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$127,470$61.020%

How Education impacts a Chief Physical Therapist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief Physical Therapists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Chief Physical Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $117,197 and $123,326).

Chief Physical Therapist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief Physical Therapist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 0.9%
Associates 4.5%
Bachelors 23.4%
Masters 46.8%
Doctorate 23.4%
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Chief Physical Therapist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Physical Therapist'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Chief Physical Therapist

Salaries for a Chief Physical Therapist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $85,907 in 2023 to around $85,447 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chief Physical Therapist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Chief Physical Therapist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$85,907
2024
$86,452
2025
$85,447
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $85,907
2024 $86,452
2025 $85,447
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Chief Physical Therapist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Chief Physical Therapist

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

Find Your Next Chief Physical Therapist Job

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

United States
  • Trinity Health

    Columbus, OH

    Trinity Health | Columbus, OH

    Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist provides evaluation and treatment of patients referred for physical therapy services. The Physical Therapist com... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Physical Therapist-Pelvic Floor. This is for a pelvic floor clinic. The physical therapist will be treating only pelvic floor diagnoses/pelvic health PT. P... more

    2 Days Ago

  • UnitedHealthcare At Home

    Columbus, OH

    UnitedHealthcare At Home | Columbus, OH

    Senior Living Physical Therapist. Explore opportunities with LHC Group, a leading post-acute care partner for hospitals, physicians and families nationwide... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Supplemental Health Care

    Columbus, OH

    Supplemental Health Care | Columbus, OH

    Physical Therapist Opportunity. Supplemental Health Care is working with a rehab facility in Columbux, Ohio to hire Physical Therapists. For more than 40 y... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Amergis Healthcare Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Amergis Healthcare Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Physical Therapist. $40/ Hour. The Physical Therapist is responsible for performing patient evaluations, as well as providing and documenting therapy servi... more

    5 Days Ago

  • AMN Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    AMN Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Travel Physical Therapist. Travel Physical Therapist jobs in Columbus, OH with AMN Healthcare let you work in a city known for its lively arts scene, diver... more

    6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Chief Physical Therapist

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Physical Therapist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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.

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