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Physical Therapy Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physical Therapy in the United States is $102,150 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,452
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,423 to $111,730
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,656
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physical Therapy Salaries

A Physical Therapy'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 Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physical Therapy'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): $89,525
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $104,385
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $120,473
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $105,385
  • Expert (over 8 years): $112,691
Levels Salary
Physical ... Level Physical Therapy$89,525
Physical ... Level Physical Therapy$104,385
Physical ... Level Physical Therapy$120,473
Physical ... Level Physical Therapy$105,385
Physical ... Level Physical Therapy$112,691
View as Graph

How Do Physical Therapy 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 Therapies. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $113,100.
  • California: $112,671.
  • Massachusetts: $111,170.

Top Paying Cities for Physical Therapies

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: $128,842
  • San Francisco: $127,431
  • Oakland: $124,746

What Skills Can Increase a Physical Therapy'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%
See More Skills

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'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 $111,344
9%
Environmental Safety $110,322
8%
Management Skills $109,301
7%
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Physical Therapy Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physical Therapy 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 Therapy positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physical Therapy as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Physical Therapy

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$107,258$52.05%

How Education impacts a Physical Therapy's Salary?

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

Physical Therapy Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physical Therapy
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%
View as Graph

Physical Therapy Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physical Therapy'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
$91,423
Average $102,150/year
$111,730
$7,619
Average $8,513/month
$9,311
$1,758
Average $1,964/week
$2,149
$44
Average $49/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,730 $9,311 $2,149 $54
Average $102,150 $8,513 $1,964 $49
25th Percentile $91,423 $7,619 $1,758 $44

Most common benefits for Physical Therapy

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

Common company salaries for Physical Therapy

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

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FAQ about Physical Therapy

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Physical Therapy?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Physical Therapy roles, with salaries approximately 5% 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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