Healthcare Charleston, WV Pop. 48,006

Physical Therapist Salary in Charleston, West Virginia

The median physical therapist salary in Charleston, WV is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.9% above the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$84,039
vs State Avg
+$3,909
vs National
$-13,681
Cost of Living
88%

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

Charleston offers a median physical therapist salary of $84,039, which is $3,909 above the West Virginia state average of $80,130. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Charleston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Charleston's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $84,039 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,499 in an average-cost city. This makes Charleston an attractive option for physical therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physical therapists in Charleston 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. Charleston is a smaller market (pop. 48,006), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physical Therapist Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, 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 88% 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 Charleston, WV

Percentile Charleston
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 West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$85,994
Pop. 30,955
Huntington, WV
$78,176
Pop. 46,842
Parkersburg, WV
$76,222
Pop. 29,675
Wheeling, WV
$74,267
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Charleston

Education

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

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Charleston

Browse open physical therapist positions in Charleston, WV:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Charleston

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Charleston, WV? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Charleston, West Virginia 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 Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,039, a physical therapist in Charleston earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the West Virginia state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Charleston's median physical therapist salary of $84,039 is 4.9% above the West Virginia state average of $80,130. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, WV? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $84,039 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Charleston? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Charleston 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.