As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physical Therapist in the United States is $103,920 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Physical Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A 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 a 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 |
|---|---|
| Physical ... Level Physical Therapist | $88,427 |
| Physical ... Level Physical Therapist | $103,176 |
| Physical ... Level Physical Therapist | $119,023 |
| Physical ... Level Physical Therapist | $104,297 |
| Physical ... Level Physical Therapist | $123,046 |
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 Physical Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 6.47% |
| CPR | 2.4% |
| HIPAA | 1.82% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Alignment
|
$113,273 |
9%
|
|
Environmental Safety
|
$112,234 |
8%
|
|
Management Skills
|
$111,194 |
7%
|
|
Clinical Leadership
|
$110,155 |
6%
|
|
Quality Improvement
|
$109,116 |
5%
|
|
Written Communication
|
$108,077 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physical Therapists 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 with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $99,941 and $104,693).
Physical Therapist Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a 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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Physical Therapist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $71,723 in 2023 to around $69,726 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Physical Therapist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $71,723 |
| 2024 | $70,846 |
| 2025 | $69,726 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Physical Therapist and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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