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Physical Therapist Salary

Depending upon where you work, a physical therapist can earn different salaries. Learn what you can expect to make as a physical therapist.

man doing leg therapy of woman

How much can a physical therapist make?

Your earning potential throughout your career will depend on variables like where you live and how much experience you have, but it will also depend on your work ethic.

The best way to boost your earning potential is to achieve great results with patients and establish a reputable name for yourself.

If you can establish a good base of clients who will return to you or recommend your practice to others, you will become increasingly more valuable in your field.

How do physical therapist salaries compare?

Physical Therapists

National data

Median Salary: $95,620

Projected job growth: 16.9%

10th Percentile: $61,930

25th Percentile: $77,750

75th Percentile: $101,920

90th Percentile: $127,110

Projected job growth: 16.9%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $95,450 $59,810 $130,000
Alaska $99,810 $38,960 $128,450
Arizona $95,590 $72,500 $127,740
Arkansas $93,560 $59,640 $126,600
California $101,180 $50,230 $135,570
Colorado $93,100 $60,960 $125,670
Connecticut $100,070 $76,660 $129,210
Delaware $97,630 $75,710 $129,450
District of Columbia $95,870 $75,710 $127,370
Florida $95,450 $61,750 $120,750
Georgia $95,590 $71,410 $124,450
Hawaii $95,110 $37,190 $127,160
Idaho $80,340 $61,990 $102,060
Illinois $97,690 $65,380 $122,370
Indiana $95,390 $62,830 $120,500
Iowa $78,930 $60,750 $103,170
Kansas $88,570 $61,080 $120,650
Kentucky $81,850 $59,840 $116,790
Louisiana $95,590 $63,630 $129,270
Maine $79,170 $61,990 $102,060
Maryland $94,960 $62,760 $120,260
Massachusetts $96,410 $61,200 $123,620
Michigan $79,870 $56,680 $102,060
Minnesota $80,130 $72,880 $101,510
Mississippi $95,770 $73,870 $129,270
Missouri $79,050 $59,830 $108,340
Montana $78,950 $61,210 $102,060
Nebraska $80,990 $61,740 $120,500
Nevada $99,360 $60,800 $152,420
New Hampshire $83,700 $61,740 $102,370
New Jersey $99,730 $76,980 $128,330
New Mexico $95,590 $75,220 $130,430
New York $95,620 $62,270 $121,140
North Carolina $79,240 $60,900 $106,980
North Dakota $78,270 $61,350 $100,620
Ohio $95,620 $66,460 $124,380
Oklahoma $79,220 $60,720 $126,210
Oregon $95,040 $73,600 $120,750
Pennsylvania $95,890 $68,430 $121,230
Rhode Island $95,930 $61,990 $121,140
South Carolina $79,830 $49,870 $104,390
South Dakota $78,040 $61,570 $100,920
Tennessee $95,370 $61,990 $106,040
Texas $99,040 $62,240 $136,870
Utah $81,190 $55,660 $127,740
Vermont $78,320 $61,250 $102,060
Virginia $94,260 $62,000 $121,780
Washington $99,330 $76,090 $126,940
West Virginia $96,970 $68,930 $121,200
Wisconsin $95,480 $61,790 $120,260
Wyoming $79,630 $75,320 $126,780

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Is there a demand for this career?

There is definitely a demand for careers in physical therapy, and this demand will only continue to grow. A large contributor to this demand is the aging baby boomer population. As this particular generation ages, there will be an increased demand for skilled physical therapists who can help these specific patients adjust to their aging bodies.

In addition to this, medical advancements are allowing greater percentages of trauma victims and newborns with serious birth defects to survive, which creates a demand for rehabilitative care through physical therapy.

How much competition will I face for a job?

The level of competition you face for a job will be mostly dependent on where you live and the type of healthcare facility you’re applying to. Trying to launch your own physical therapy practice right off the bat will be extremely tough, as it means you’ll be competing with other therapists with an established clientele.

For less competition, physical therapist jobs in hospitals or health practitioners’ offices are generally more plentiful; you’ll still face some competition, but since the demand for physical therapists in these environments is high and growing, you’re likely to have an easier time getting hired.

What kinds of institutions hire physical therapists?

Physical therapists are in increasingly high demand in multiple workplaces. You can find work in hospitals, health care practitioners’ offices, home health care services, or nursing care facilities.

In addition to these options, some physical therapists choose to launch their own practice, which is no easy task but can certainly have benefits. If you want to specialize in a specific type of patient (for instance, elderly physical therapy patients), then this will influence where you decide to work.

How do I advance in my physical therapy career?

In order to advance in your career, it’s absolutely necessary for you to stay on top of any continuing education units you need, as well as to stay abreast of physical therapy trends and research. Being knowledgeable in the present and future of your field will keep you ahead of the curve at all times.

In addition to this, your best bet for advancing in your field is to establish a great name for yourself by producing the best possible results for your patients. Your experience and success are what will ultimately help you advance and make you indispensable at any facility you work for.