How much does a physical therapist make?
The median physical therapist in the United States earns $102,760 per year, about $49.40 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all physical therapists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1123.
Physical therapist salary range
Pay for physical therapists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $77,140 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $135,140. The average (mean) wage of $105,280 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,140 | $37.09 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $86,160 | $41.42 | |
| Median (50th) | $102,760 | $49.40 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $121,160 | $58.25 | |
| 90th percentile | $135,140 | $64.97 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Physical therapist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Physical therapists earn the most in California at $124,190 a year, and the least in North Dakota at $85,330. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $124,190 | 26,580 |
| Alaska | $115,280 | 680 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 | 9,750 |
| Nevada | $111,250 | 2,030 |
| Maryland | $106,890 | 3,940 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 | 1,330 |
| Washington | $105,950 | 5,370 |
| Texas | $105,810 | 21,870 |
| Illinois | $105,250 | 9,800 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 | 4,060 |
| Massachusetts | $103,790 | 6,850 |
| Oregon | $103,510 | 3,210 |
| Arizona | $103,220 | 5,170 |
| Ohio | $103,050 | 10,280 |
| Georgia | $102,700 | 6,780 |
| Delaware | $102,050 | 1,260 |
| Colorado | $102,030 | 5,630 |
| Minnesota | $102,010 | 5,180 |
| Wisconsin | $101,840 | 5,580 |
| Hawaii | $101,700 | 950 |
| District of Columbia | $101,640 | 610 |
| Indiana | $101,560 | 6,130 |
| Virginia | $101,450 | 7,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,380 | 11,710 |
| South Carolina | $101,330 | 3,930 |
| Florida | $101,040 | 16,290 |
| Michigan | $100,900 | 8,630 |
| Kentucky | $100,710 | 3,390 |
| New York | $100,660 | 20,940 |
| Wyoming | $100,400 | 560 |
| Tennessee | $100,140 | 4,800 |
| Mississippi | $99,990 | 1,980 |
| North Carolina | $99,910 | 7,350 |
| Utah | $99,880 | 2,300 |
| New Hampshire | $99,850 | 1,960 |
| Maine | $99,720 | 1,860 |
| Rhode Island | $99,400 | 1,020 |
| Missouri | $99,310 | 4,900 |
| Arkansas | $99,010 | 2,680 |
| Idaho | $99,000 | 1,030 |
| Oklahoma | $98,590 | 2,560 |
| Louisiana | $98,530 | 3,280 |
| Kansas | $98,290 | 2,660 |
| Vermont | $97,970 | 760 |
| Iowa | $97,560 | 2,530 |
| Alabama | $97,290 | 3,040 |
| Nebraska | $97,090 | 2,140 |
| West Virginia | $96,600 | 1,310 |
| South Dakota | $92,660 | 1,060 |
| Montana | $91,450 | 1,180 |
| North Dakota | $85,330 | 830 |
State median wages for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for physical therapists
The BLS projects employment of physical therapists to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 283,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 317,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 13,400 openings a year for physical therapists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a physical therapist
The typical entry-level education for physical therapists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a physical therapist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $124,190) and the lowest (North Dakota, $85,330) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 267,330 people work as physical therapists in the United States. At $102,760 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Physical therapist salary FAQ
How much does a physical therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a physical therapist is $49.40. The middle half of physical therapists earn between $41.42 and $58.25 per hour.
What is the highest physical therapist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of physical therapists earn more than $135,140 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a physical therapist make a year?
The median annual salary for a physical therapist is $102,760. The average (mean) wage of $105,280 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a physical therapist a well paid job?
At $102,760 a year, a physical therapist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 267,330 people work as physical therapists in the United States.
Which state pays physical therapists the most?
California has the highest median salary for physical therapists at $124,190 a year. Alaska ($115,280) and New Jersey ($112,140) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a physical therapist a good career?
Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 11.9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 13,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a physical therapist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for physical therapists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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