Physical Therapist Salary
Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions through exercise programs, manual therapy, and education to restore movement and reduce pain.
Physical Therapist Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level physical therapists earn around $68,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $98,000. Senior-level physical therapists can earn $128,000 or more.
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See Investment Options →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for physical therapists varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $66,800, while the top 10% earn $130,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,800 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,200 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $97,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,200 |
Physical Therapist Salary by State
Physical Therapist salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $173,942, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $79,153.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $173,942 | Details → |
| #2 California | $142,671 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $139,740 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $126,059 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $124,104 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $117,264 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $116,287 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $113,355 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $111,401 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $109,446 | Details → |
| #11 New Hampshire | $105,538 | Details → |
| #12 Rhode Island | $105,538 | Details → |
| #13 Colorado | $104,560 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $103,583 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $100,652 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $100,652 | Details → |
| #17 Minnesota | $98,697 | Details → |
| #18 Florida | $97,720 | Details → |
| #19 Maine | $97,720 | Details → |
| #20 Nevada | $96,743 | Details → |
| #21 Pennsylvania | $96,743 | Details → |
| #22 Arizona | $94,788 | Details → |
| #23 Illinois | $94,788 | Details → |
| #24 Utah | $94,788 | Details → |
| #25 Texas | $91,857 | Details → |
| #26 Wisconsin | $91,857 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $90,880 | Details → |
| #28 Montana | $90,880 | Details → |
| #29 Idaho | $89,902 | Details → |
| #30 North Carolina | $89,902 | Details → |
| #31 Ohio | $89,902 | Details → |
| #32 Louisiana | $88,925 | Details → |
| #33 New Mexico | $88,925 | Details → |
| #34 Tennessee | $88,925 | Details → |
| #35 Indiana | $87,948 | Details → |
| #36 Michigan | $87,948 | Details → |
| #37 Nebraska | $87,948 | Details → |
| #38 North Dakota | $87,948 | Details → |
| #39 Wyoming | $87,948 | Details → |
| #40 Iowa | $86,971 | Details → |
| #41 South Carolina | $86,971 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $85,994 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $85,994 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $85,016 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $85,016 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $85,016 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $82,085 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $80,130 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $80,130 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $79,153 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Physical Therapists who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $30,280 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Evaluate patients' mobility, strength, and functional limitations
- ● Develop individualized treatment plans and exercise programs
- ● Perform manual therapy techniques to alleviate pain
- ● Track patient progress and adjust treatment plans
- ● Educate patients on injury prevention and home exercises
Top Skills
Education Required
Doctoral degree
Job Outlook
Much faster than average — projected 15% growth over the next decade
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