Physical Therapy Intern Salary in the United States

How much does a Physical Therapy Intern make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physical Therapy Intern in the United States is $104,053 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,775
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,113 to $113,853
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $83,153
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View as table View as graph 25% $93,113 10% $83,153 90% $122,775 75% $113,853 $104,053 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Physical Therapy Intern Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $113,853 $9,488 $2,189 $55
Average $104,053 $8,671 $2,001 $50
25th Percentile $93,113 $7,759 $1,791 $45
Check out Physical Therapy Intern Job Openings in the United States
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant

Advantage Health & Wellness - MORGANTOWN, WV

Physical Therapist

Cioffredi & Associates Physical Therapy - LEBANON, NH

Physical Therapist

Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy - MYRTLE CREEK, OR

Physical Therapist

Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy - MEDFORD, OR

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Key Factors That Influence Physical Therapy Intern Salaries

A Physical Therapy Intern'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 Therapy Intern Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physical Therapy Intern'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): $102,989
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,749
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $107,099
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $110,169
  • Expert (over 8 years): $110,937
Levels Salary
Entry Level Physical Therapy Intern$102,989
Intermediate Level Physical Therapy Intern$103,749
Senior Level Physical Therapy Intern$107,099
Specialist Level Physical Therapy Intern$110,169
Expert Level Physical Therapy Intern$110,937
$102,989 0 yr
$103,749 < 2 yrs
$107,099 2-4 yrs
$110,169 5-8 yrs
$110,937 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Physical Therapy Intern 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 Physical Therapy Interns. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $115,207.
  • California: $114,770.
  • Massachusetts: $113,241.

Top Paying Cities for Physical Therapy Interns

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: $131,242
  • San Francisco: $129,952
  • Oakland: $127,070

What Skills Can Increase a Physical Therapy Intern'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.
See More Skills
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 Therapy Intern'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
$113,418
9%
Environmental Safety
$112,377
8%
Management Skills
$111,337
7%
Clinical Leadership
$110,296
6%
Quality Improvement
$109,256
5%
Written Communication
$108,215
4%
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How Education impacts a Physical Therapy Intern's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physical Therapy Interns 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 Therapy Intern with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $99,941 and $104,693).

Physical Therapy Intern Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physical Therapy Intern
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%
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Physical Therapy Intern Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physical Therapy Intern'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Physical Therapy Intern

Salaries for a Physical Therapy Intern can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $73,917 in 2023 to around $71,859 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Physical Therapy Intern salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Physical Therapy Intern Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$73,917
2024
$73,013
2025
$71,859
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $73,917
2024 $73,013
2025 $71,859
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Physical Therapy Intern

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

Here are companies hiring for Physical Therapy Intern and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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.)

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