As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Acute Care Physical Therapist in the United States is $82,931 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an Acute Care Physical Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Acute Care 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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Acute Care 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Informati... Level Acute Care Physical Therapist | $69,804 |
| Acute Car... Level Acute Care Physical Therapist | $83,650 |
| Informati... Level Acute Care Physical Therapist | $108,619 |
| Informati... Level Acute Care Physical Therapist | $133,441 |
| Informati... Level Acute Care Physical Therapist | $155,266 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Acute Care Physical Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 9.52% |
| IT Support | 3.17% |
| Computer Hardware | 2.25% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Emerging Technology
|
$93,712 |
13%
|
|
Test Automation
|
$89,565 |
8%
|
|
Leadership
|
$89,565 |
8%
|
|
Innovation
|
$88,736 |
7%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$88,736 |
7%
|
|
Consulting
|
$87,907 |
6%
|
For Acute Care Physical Therapist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 36% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 17% above the average. In contrast, Acute Care Physical Therapist positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Acute Care Physical Therapist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $97,029 | $47.0 | 17% |
| Biotechnology | $94,541 | $45.0 | 14% |
| Energy & Utilities | $92,053 | $44.0 | 11% |
| Insurance | $90,395 | $43.0 | 9% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $87,907 | $42.0 | 6% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Acute Care 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 an Acute Care Physical Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $81,356 and $86,059).
Acute Care Physical Therapist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.9% |
| High School | 16.7% |
| Associates | 17.7% |
| Bachelors | 51.2% |
| Masters | 11.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.5% |
Understanding how an Acute Care 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, 2026Salaries for an Acute Care Physical Therapist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,343 in 2023 to around $79,410 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Acute Care Physical Therapist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $81,343 |
| 2024 | $80,456 |
| 2025 | $79,410 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Acute Care Physical Therapist roles, with salaries approximately 17% above the market median.
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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