🦴 Physical Therapist (PT) Salary 2026
Physical therapists earn a median salary of $99,710/year ($47.94/hour) nationally in 2026, according to BLS data — putting the profession solidly in the top 25% of US earners. But pay varies significantly by state, setting, and experience level: from around $72,000 for new DPT graduates to $130,000+ for experienced PTs in high-demand markets. This guide covers every level of PT pay, after-tax take-home by state, and how the PTA vs PT salary gap plays out in practice.
Physical Therapist Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Experience is one of the strongest predictors of PT salary. Here is the full range from entry-level to senior positions:
| Entry-level (0–2 years) | $72,000/year · $34.62/hour |
| Mid-level (3–6 years) | $88,000/year · $42.31/hour |
| Experienced (7–12 years) | $108,000/year · $51.92/hour |
| Senior / specialized (12+ years) | $130,000/year · $62.50/hour |
| Median (all levels) | $99,710/year · $47.94/hour |
Physical Therapist Salary After Tax (2026)
At the median salary of $99,710/year, a single filer in a no-state-tax state takes home approximately $78,600/year ($6,550/month) after federal income tax and FICA. State income tax significantly affects actual take-home — the difference between Texas and California at this salary is nearly $6,000/year.
| Entry-level ($72,000/yr) | $58,400/year · $4,867/month |
| Mid-level ($88,000/yr) | $70,100/year · $5,842/month |
| Experienced ($108,000/yr) | $84,200/year · $7,017/month |
| Median ($99,710/yr) | $78,600/year · $6,550/month |
Physical Therapist Salary by State (2026)
State is one of the biggest variables in PT compensation. High-cost coastal states pay more in gross salary but take a larger cut in taxes. No-income-tax states like Texas and Nevada let you keep more of what you earn.
| Nevada | $116,000/year · $55.77/hour |
| California | $112,000/year · $53.85/hour |
| New Jersey | $110,000/year · $52.88/hour |
| Alaska | $108,000/year · $51.92/hour |
| Washington | $106,000/year · $50.96/hour |
| Texas | $101,000/year · $48.56/hour |
| Massachusetts | $104,000/year · $50.00/hour |
| New York | $103,000/year · $49.52/hour |
| Florida | $94,000/year · $45.19/hour |
| Georgia | $90,000/year · $43.27/hour |
| Ohio | $86,000/year · $41.35/hour |
| Mississippi | $74,000/year · $35.58/hour |
Worth noting: Nevada's high median is partly driven by demand from Las Vegas resort and casino healthcare facilities, which pay premium rates for experienced PTs. California's figure reflects both strong union presence and a high cost-of-living adjustment built into local pay scales.
PT vs PTA Salary — Full Career Ladder (2026)
Physical therapy offers a clear career progression with meaningful salary jumps at each credential level. The PTA-to-PT jump requires an additional two years of doctoral study but nearly doubles earning potential over a career.
| PT Aide (no degree required) | $34,000/year · $16.35/hour |
| PTA (Associate Degree, 2 years) | $63,000/year · $30.29/hour |
| PT — new DPT graduate (3 years post-BS) | $72,000/year · $34.62/hour |
| PT — mid-career | $99,710/year · $47.94/hour |
| PT — clinical specialist (OCS, SCS, NCS) | $115,000/year · $55.29/hour |
| PT — director / management | $130,000/year+ · $62.50/hour+ |
Physical Therapist Salary by Work Setting (2026)
Where you work matters as much as where you live. Home health and SNF (skilled nursing facility) settings consistently pay above outpatient clinic rates, though the tradeoffs in caseload and travel vary significantly.
| Home health care | $112,000/year |
| Skilled nursing facility (SNF) | $107,000/year |
| Hospital (inpatient) | $101,000/year |
| Outpatient clinic (private practice) | $94,000/year |
| School district | $82,000/year |
| Government / VA | $98,000/year |
Job Outlook & Growth
The BLS projects physical therapist employment to grow 15% from 2022 to 2032 — more than three times the average for all occupations. This is driven by an aging Baby Boomer population, increased rates of chronic conditions requiring rehabilitation, and expanded insurance coverage for PT services under the ACA.
Approximately 23,800 new PT positions are projected to open each year through 2032, a combination of growth and replacement of retiring PTs. Job security in this profession is exceptionally strong — PT unemployment rates consistently run below 1.5%.
Education & Licensing Requirements
Becoming a physical therapist requires completing an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program — typically three years following a bachelor's degree — and passing the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination). All states require licensure; some have additional continuing education requirements for renewal.
The main financial consideration for prospective PTs: DPT programs are expensive. Average total program cost (tuition plus fees) runs $130,000–$180,000 at private programs and $80,000–$120,000 at in-state public programs. At a starting salary of $72,000, loan-to-income ratios are manageable — but worth modeling before committing to a program.
Is Physical Therapy Worth the Degree Cost?
At a median of $99,710 and with 15% job growth projected, physical therapy compares favorably to other healthcare careers requiring similar education investment. The DPT takes 7 years total (4-year bachelor's + 3-year DPT), which is less than medicine (11+ years) and roughly equivalent to pharmacy or optometry — but PT median pay runs below those fields.
The strongest case for PT: job flexibility. PTs work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, schools, home health, sports teams, research, and private practice. Specialty certifications (orthopedic, neurologic, sports, pediatric) open higher-paying niches. Travel PT — similar to travel nursing — remains available for PTs willing to take 13-week contracts, often at $2,200–$3,500/week.