Healthcare Columbus, GA Pop. 206,922

Physical Therapist Salary in Columbus, Georgia

The median physical therapist salary in Columbus, GA is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 7.5% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$84,039
vs State Avg
$-6,841
vs National
$-13,681
Cost of Living
86%

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

Columbus offers a median physical therapist salary of $84,039, which is $6,841 below the Georgia state average of $90,880. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Columbus pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbus's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $84,039 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $97,720 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbus an attractive option for physical therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physical therapists in Columbus spans from $57,448 at the 10th percentile to $111,972 at the 90th percentile — a $54,524 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,480, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $110,080. With a population of 206,922, Columbus is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Columbus by Experience

In Columbus, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $58,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $110,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,280
$-13,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$110,080
$-17,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbus, GA

Percentile Columbus
10th Percentile $57,448
25th Percentile $68,972
Median (50th) $84,039
75th Percentile $100,104
90th Percentile $111,972

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$99,674
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$89,902
Pop. 147,780
Athens, GA
$87,948
Pop. 127,064
Augusta, GA
$85,994
Pop. 202,081

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Columbus

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Columbus 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 Columbus may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Columbus

Browse open physical therapist positions in Columbus, GA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Columbus

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Columbus, GA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Columbus, Georgia is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $57,448 (10th percentile) to $111,972 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Columbus? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,039, a physical therapist in Columbus earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbus compare to the Georgia state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Columbus's median physical therapist salary of $84,039 is 7.5% below the Georgia state average of $90,880. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbus, GA? ▼
Columbus has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $84,039 in Columbus has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Columbus? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Columbus 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.