Physical Therapist salary in the United States
National median pay
$102,760/year
about $49.40 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $86,160 – $121,160
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $77,140 | $37.09 |
| 25th | $86,160 | $41.42 |
| Median (50th) | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| 75th | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| 90th (top earners) | $135,140 | $64.97 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Francisco ($141,980). Lowest of the cities we track: Pittsburgh ($97,750).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $141,980 | $123,470 – $160,770 |
| San Jose, CA | $139,000 | $123,130 – $165,170 |
| Sacramento, CA | $131,430 | $106,230 – $143,580 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $116,480 | $97,790 – $136,630 |
| San Diego, CA | $113,850 | $96,820 – $133,860 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $108,170 | $97,850 – $134,160 |
| Dallas, TX | $107,780 | $88,250 – $127,670 |
| Houston, TX | $107,700 | $94,430 – $127,640 |
| New York, NY | $107,650 | $95,500 – $129,360 |
| Seattle, WA | $107,290 | $95,060 – $133,070 |
| Portland, OR | $106,250 | $93,140 – $129,260 |
| San Antonio, TX | $106,010 | $85,400 – $125,220 |
| Baltimore, MD | $105,810 | $94,760 – $123,400 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $105,790 | $95,700 – $120,550 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,720 | $98,120 – $123,720 |
| Austin, TX | $103,630 | $97,080 – $130,880 |
| Boston, MA | $103,550 | $94,750 – $122,380 |
| Atlanta, GA | $103,440 | $84,290 – $120,660 |
| Nashville, TN | $103,380 | $84,690 – $108,990 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $103,220 | $90,180 – $122,360 |
| Washington, DC | $102,980 | $94,680 – $127,020 |
| Detroit, MI | $102,970 | $88,190 – $112,120 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $102,450 | $97,410 – $107,710 |
| Tampa, FL | $102,430 | $87,010 – $106,740 |
| Denver, CO | $102,340 | $83,840 – $121,290 |
| Orlando, FL | $101,530 | $83,850 – $109,300 |
| Charlotte, NC | $101,060 | $94,070 – $115,370 |
| Miami, FL | $100,870 | $82,100 – $107,700 |
| St. Louis, MO | $100,600 | $81,910 – $110,510 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $97,750 | $78,190 – $104,020 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for physical therapists, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $86,160 ($41.42/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $86,160 to $121,160 ($41.42 to $58.25/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $121,160 ($58.25/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Productivity targets (patients per day or visits per week) vary a lot. Ask for the exact number.
- Home health and travel PT roles often pay more than outpatient clinics.
- Some employers offer student loan repayment, which can be worth more than a small raise.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.