As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Physical Therapist (PT) in the United States is $85,101. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $70,964 to a high of $100,002, with most professionals earning between $77,701 and $92,901.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $92,901 | $7,742 | $1,787 | $45 |
| Average | $85,101 | $7,092 | $1,637 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,701 | $6,475 | $1,494 | $37 |
An entry-level Physical Therapist (PT) with less than 1 year of experience earns about $82,771. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $83,323. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $85,783. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $88,111, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $88,694.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Physical Therapist (PT) | $82,771 |
| Intermediate Level Physical Therapist (PT) | $83,323 |
| Senior Level Physical Therapist (PT) | $85,783 |
| Specialist Level Physical Therapist (PT) | $88,111 |
| Expert Level Physical Therapist (PT) | $88,694 |
| Entry Level | 3% |
| Mid Level | 2% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Physical Therapist (PT) compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $73,623 in 2023 to approximately $72,722 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Physical Therapist (PT) salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Physical Therapist (PT) information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Physical Therapist (PT) job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Physical Therapist (PT) and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $85,101 | 72.4% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $6,510 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,000 | 3.4% | ||
| Disability | $681 | 0.6% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 5.2% | ||
| Pension | $4,681 | 4.0% | ||
| Time Off | $10,474 | 8.9% | ||
| Total Compensation | $117,502 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 1.2% |
| Associates | 1.4% |
| Bachelors | 16.6% |
| Masters | 55.5% |
| Doctorate | 25.1% |
What Am I Worth?
To practice as a physical therapist in the U.S., you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited program and pass a state licensure exam. The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years. Physical therapists can expect to earn a salary ranging from $95,101 to $112,501, with a median salary of $103,601.
Physician assistants and physical therapists earn different average salaries. According to the latest salary data, physical therapists have a salary range with a minimum of $95,101, a mid-range of $103,601, and a maximum of $112,501. In comparison, physician assistants earn an average of $73,731 per year, making physical therapists generally better compensated.
Physical therapists (PTs) earn varying salaries across states. The minimum salary is $95,101, the mid-range salary is $103,601, and the maximum salary reaches $112,501. States like California, Nevada, and Alaska typically offer salaries at or near the higher end of this range, making them some of the best-paying locations for PTs.
The cost of PT school varies significantly, with some programs like California State University, Long Beach costing around $92,331, while others, such as Campbell University, can reach $136,440. Considering the average salary for a Physical Therapist ranges from $95,101 to $112,501, investing in education can lead to a rewarding career financially.
Physical therapist salaries typically range from $95,101 to $112,501, with a median salary of $103,601. This indicates that, on average, physical therapists earn slightly more than occupational therapists.
Highly skilled PTs can earn between $95,101 and $112,501, with a mid-salary of $103,601. DPTs, especially those specializing in areas like pain management or sports medicine, may earn more, but many experienced PTs in specialized settings can achieve similar salary levels.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
