Healthcare Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Physical Therapist Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median physical therapist salary in Reading, PA is $88,925 per year, which is 9% below the national median and 8.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$88,925
vs State Avg
$-7,818
vs National
$-8,795
Cost of Living
88%

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

Reading offers a median physical therapist salary of $88,925, which is $7,818 below the Pennsylvania state average of $96,743. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Reading pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Reading's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $88,925 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $101,051 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for physical therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physical therapists in Reading spans from $60,788 at the 10th percentile to $118,482 at the 90th percentile — a $57,694 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,880, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $116,480. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physical Therapist Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $61,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $116,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,880
$-6,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$89,180
$-8,820 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$116,480
$-11,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $60,788
25th Percentile $72,982
Median (50th) $88,925
75th Percentile $105,924
90th Percentile $118,482

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
Erie, PA
$85,016
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Reading

Education

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

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Reading

Browse open physical therapist positions in Reading, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Reading

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $88,925 per year, which is 9% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $60,788 (10th percentile) to $118,482 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $88,925, a physical therapist in Reading earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Reading's median physical therapist salary of $88,925 is 8.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $96,743. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Reading, PA? ▼
Reading has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $88,925 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Reading? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Reading 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.