Average Physical Therapist Salary: $100,204 (2026)

The average physical therapist salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $100,204 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $85,225 in El Paso, TX to $136,288 in San Jose, CA.

The average hourly rate for physical therapists is $48.17 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $40.97/hour in lower-paying areas to $65.52/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.

San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for physical therapists, with a median salary of $136,288 per year. This is 36% above the national average of $100,204. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.

Entry-level physical therapists (10th percentile) typically earn around $65,249 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $100,204 within 3-5 years of career growth.

The average physical therapist salary of $100,204 is 69% higher than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $145,444 or more annually.

El Paso, TX has the lowest physical therapist salary at $85,225 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $51,063.

There are approximately 11,769 physical therapists employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a moderate-sized job market with opportunities in healthcare industries nationwide.

The biggest factors affecting physical therapist salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $51,063 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Specialty and board certification (OCS, SCS, NCS) — certified specialists earn 10–20% more, Setting — travel PT contracts often pay $1,800–$3,000+/week versus staff positions. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.

In-demand skills that boost physical therapist salaries include: Manual therapy and hands-on treatment techniques (joint mobilization, dry needling, IASTM), Clinical assessment — movement analysis, gait analysis, neurological testing, Therapeutic exercise prescription and progression, Knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy, kinesiology, and neuroscience, Electronic medical records documentation (WebPT, Clinicient, Epic). Specialty and board certification (OCS, SCS, NCS) — certified specialists earn 10–20% more Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($123,627).

Physical Therapist salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $100,204 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.