Healthcare Birmingham, AL Pop. 197,575

Physical Therapist Salary in Birmingham, Alabama

The median physical therapist salary in Birmingham, AL is $87,948 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 3.4% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$87,948
vs State Avg
+$2,932
vs National
$-9,772
Cost of Living
90%

Physical Therapist Pay in Birmingham: What to Expect (2026)

Birmingham offers a median physical therapist salary of $87,948, which is $2,932 above the Alabama state average of $85,016. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Birmingham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Birmingham's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physical therapists in Birmingham spans from $60,120 at the 10th percentile to $117,180 at the 90th percentile — a $57,060 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,200, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $115,200. With a population of 197,575, Birmingham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Birmingham by Experience

In Birmingham, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $61,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $115,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,200
$-6,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$88,200
$-9,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$115,200
$-12,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Birmingham, AL

Percentile Birmingham
10th Percentile $60,120
25th Percentile $72,180
Median (50th) $87,948
75th Percentile $104,760
90th Percentile $117,180

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$89,902
Pop. 216,963
Tuscaloosa, AL
$85,994
Pop. 101,129
Montgomery, AL
$84,039
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$83,062
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Birmingham

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Birmingham and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Birmingham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Birmingham

Browse open physical therapist positions in Birmingham, AL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Birmingham

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Birmingham, AL? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $87,948 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $60,120 (10th percentile) to $117,180 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Birmingham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $87,948, a physical therapist in Birmingham earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Birmingham compare to the Alabama state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Birmingham's median physical therapist salary of $87,948 is 3.4% above the Alabama state average of $85,016. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Birmingham, AL? ▼
Birmingham has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $87,948 in Birmingham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Birmingham? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Birmingham require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.