Healthcare Erie, PA Pop. 94,831

Physical Therapist Salary in Erie, Pennsylvania

The median physical therapist salary in Erie, PA is $85,016 per year, which is 13% below the national median and 12.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$85,016
vs State Avg
$-11,727
vs National
$-12,704
Cost of Living
84%

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

Erie offers a median physical therapist salary of $85,016, which is $11,727 below the Pennsylvania state average of $96,743. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Erie pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Erie's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $85,016 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $101,210 in an average-cost city. This makes Erie an attractive option for physical therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physical therapists in Erie spans from $58,116 at the 10th percentile to $113,274 at the 90th percentile — a $55,158 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,160, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $111,360. Erie is a smaller market (pop. 94,831), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physical Therapist Salary in Erie by Experience

In Erie, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $59,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $111,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,160
$-8,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$85,260
$-12,740 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$111,360
$-16,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Erie, PA

Percentile Erie
10th Percentile $58,116
25th Percentile $69,774
Median (50th) $85,016
75th Percentile $101,268
90th Percentile $113,274

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$102,606
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$94,788
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$93,811
Pop. 302,971
Reading, PA
$88,925
Pop. 95,112

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Erie

Education

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

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Erie

Browse open physical therapist positions in Erie, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Erie

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Erie, PA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Erie, Pennsylvania is $85,016 per year, which is 13% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $58,116 (10th percentile) to $113,274 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Erie? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,016, a physical therapist in Erie earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Erie compare to the Pennsylvania state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Erie's median physical therapist salary of $85,016 is 12.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $96,743. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Erie, PA? ▼
Erie has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $85,016 in Erie has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Erie? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Erie 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.