Question 1

How much does a Physical Therapist make?

Accepted Answer

The national median salary for a Physical Therapist is $102,760, with a typical range from $77,140 (entry level, 10th percentile) to $135,140 (top earners, 90th percentile). Actual pay varies by city, industry, employer size, and experience.

Question 2

What is the entry-level salary for a Physical Therapist?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level Physical Therapist positions typically pay around $77,140 to $80,153, depending on metro, industry, and degree. New graduates can expect the lower end of this range; those with relevant internships or in-demand specializations often start higher.

Question 3

How much does a senior Physical Therapist earn?

Accepted Answer

Senior Physical Therapist professionals earn approximately $138,726 on average, with top performers and those at large employers exceeding $135,140. Senior pay is driven by scope, leadership, technical depth, and employer choice.

Question 4

Which cities pay the most for a Physical Therapist?

Accepted Answer

Physical Therapist pay is highest in major metros — typically San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Boston, Toronto, and Vancouver. After adjusting for cost of living, however, mid-tier metros often deliver higher purchasing power. Use the SalaryScope city tools to compare apples-to-apples.

Question 5

What education is required to become a Physical Therapist?

Accepted Answer

The typical education path for a Physical Therapist is Doctoral degree. Relevant certifications, portfolios, and demonstrated skills can sometimes substitute for traditional credentials, especially in technical and trades roles.

Question 6

Is Physical Therapist a growing career?

Accepted Answer

The 10-year employment outlook for Physical Therapist is rated Faster than average. SalaryScope combines federal projections with industry, automation-risk, and demand signals to produce a more precise Workforce Opportunity Score for this role.

Question 7

How can I increase my pay as a Physical Therapist?

Accepted Answer

The highest-leverage ways to increase your Physical Therapist pay are: (1) developing in-demand specializations that command a premium, (2) earning ROI-positive certifications, (3) switching employers strategically every 3-5 years, (4) negotiating every offer and review, and (5) considering geographic moves to higher-pay or lower-cost metros.

Question 8

What is the total compensation for a Physical Therapist?

Accepted Answer

Total compensation for a Physical Therapist includes base salary ($102,760 at median), an annual bonus (typically 5-25% of base), and at many employers equity (RSUs or options). Total comp can range from 1.05x to 1.5x of base depending on industry, level, and employer.

Percentile	What it means	Salary
10th percentile	1 in 10 earn less than this	$77,140
25th percentile	1 in 4 earn less than this	$86,160
Median	Half earn more, half earn less	$102,760
75th percentile	1 in 4 earn more than this	$121,160
90th percentile	1 in 10 earn more than this	$135,140

City	COL	Median	p90
New York, NY	187	$107,650	$141,870
Los Angeles, CA	176	$108,170	$160,070
Chicago, IL	107	$105,720	$142,320
Houston, TX	96	$107,700	$142,570
Phoenix, AZ	104	$103,220	$134,410
Philadelphia, PA	101	$105,790	$131,760
San Antonio, TX	90	$106,010	$137,240
San Diego, CA	160	$113,850	$158,700
Dallas, TX	103	$107,780	$144,740
San Jose, CA	202	$139,000	$171,560
Austin, TX	119	$103,630	$135,320
Jacksonville, FL	93	$100,150	$120,450

Education level	Estimated salary	vs Bachelor's
High School	$103,000	-30%
Associate Degree	$120,000	-18%
Bachelor's Degree	$147,000	—
Master's Degree	$184,000	25%
Doctorate / Professional	$228,000	55%
Professional Certifications	$164,000	12%

Physical Therapist — Career & Salary Intelligence

Career overview

What the job pays nationally

Salary by location

Salary by education

10-year career growth forecast

Certifications that increase earnings

Career Opportunity Score breakdown

Frequently asked questions about Physical Therapist