Healthcare Athens, GA Pop. 127,064

Physical Therapist Salary in Athens, Georgia

The median physical therapist salary in Athens, GA is $87,948 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 3.2% below the Georgia state average.

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

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

Athens offers a median physical therapist salary of $87,948, which is $2,932 below the Georgia state average of $90,880. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Athens pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Athens'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 Athens 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 127,064, Athens is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Athens by Experience

In Athens, 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 Athens, GA

Percentile Athens
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 Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$99,674
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$89,902
Pop. 147,780
Augusta, GA
$85,994
Pop. 202,081
Columbus, GA
$84,039
Pop. 206,922

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Athens

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Athens and the surrounding Georgia 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 Athens may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Athens

Browse open physical therapist positions in Athens, GA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Athens

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Athens, GA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Athens, Georgia 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 Athens? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $87,948, a physical therapist in Athens earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Athens compare to the Georgia state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Athens's median physical therapist salary of $87,948 is 3.2% below the Georgia state average of $90,880. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Athens, GA? ▼
Athens has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $87,948 in Athens has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Athens? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Athens 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.