How Much Does a PT Make? (2025)
PTs, or physical therapists, are responsible for helping patients with mobility issues regain part of their movement and manage their pain levels. They do this with the help of personalized exercises that's tailored specifically to a patient.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also has a positive forecast for the role of PTs, with an 11% faster than average job outlook. This correlates to Salary'com's data, which suggests that a PT's average yearly salary is $105,902.
Learn more about the salary trend for PTs salary, top-paying cities in the US, and some FAQs about the occupation in this salary guide.
What is The Average PT's Salary?
As mentioned above, the salary of a PT is $105,902 per year. As of August 22, 2025, a pt's salary ranges from $86,415 to $125,389, with the majority earning between $95,702 to $116,102.
2025 PT salary: $105,902 ($51 per hour)
A PT's salary per month is $17,700, while the average weekly pay is $4,085. Meanwhile, the salary of a PT per hour is $102, according to the report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42 | $1,662 | $7,201 | $86,415 |
| 25th Percentile | $46 | $1,840 | $7,975 | $95,702 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $51 | $2,037 | $8,825 | $105,902 |
| 75th Percentile | $56 | $2,233 | $9,675 | $116,102 |
| 90th Percentile | $60 | $2,411 | $10,449 | $125,389 |
PT Salaries State by State
The salary for PTs differs across US states based on factors like minimum wage, job demand, location, and cost of living.
As shown in the table below, the three (3) states with the lowest average annual salary for PTs in the United States are Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas with $94,402, $95,302, and $95,602, respectively.
Meanwhile, the three (3) states with the highest average annual PT salary are the District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts with $117,202, $116,802 and $115,202, respectively.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $114,602 |
| Alabama | $97,302 |
| Arkansas | $95,602 |
| Arizona | $103,202 |
| California | $116,802 |
| Colorado | $108,002 |
| Connecticut | $113,102 |
| District of Columbia | $117,202 |
| Delaware | $107,202 |
| Florida | $100,202 |
| Georgia | $102,102 |
| Hawaii | $110,602 |
| Iowa | $101,302 |
| Idaho | $98,802 |
| Illinois | $107,902 |
| Indiana | $101,602 |
| Kansas | $100,802 |
| Kentucky | $99,602 |
| Louisiana | $100,702 |
| Massachusetts | $115,202 |
| Maryland | $109,202 |
| Maine | $103,202 |
| Michigan | $104,302 |
| Minnesota | $108,302 |
| Missouri | $100,602 |
| Mississippi | $94,402 |
| Montana | $99,902 |
| North Carolina | $100,602 |
| North Dakota | $104,602 |
| Nebraska | $99,702 |
| New Hampshire | $107,002 |
| New Jersey | $114,702 |
| New Mexico | $98,102 |
| Nevada | $104,802 |
| New York | $112,502 |
| Ohio | $103,102 |
| Oklahoma | $97,902 |
| Oregon | $107,502 |
| Pennsylvania | $105,402 |
| Rhode Island | $109,802 |
| South Carolina | $99,202 |
| South Dakota | $96,202 |
| Tennessee | $98,902 |
| Texas | $103,302 |
| Utah | $101,402 |
| Virginia | $106,602 |
| Vermont | $103,902 |
| Washington | $114,802 |
| Wisconsin | $104,102 |
| West Virginia | $95,302 |
| Wyoming | $101,502 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for PTs?
PTs' salaries also vary by city due to the differences in the standard of living, local demand for occupation, and industry rates in metropolitan areas.
The table below shows that the labor industry in California is offering higher average annual salaries for PTs, specifically in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.
Certain cities such as New York, Queens Village, and Paramus also show signs of increased demand for the role and are considered as few of the highest paying cities for PTs:
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $133,502 |
| San Francisco, CA | $132,202 |
| Oakland, CA | $129,302 |
| New York, NY | $122,702 |
| Queens Village, NY | $121,902 |
| Paramus, NJ | $121,002 |
How Does Experience Affect a PT's Salary?
Having more experience gives the PTs an advantage over their peers, along with having an important role in increasing their salaries.
Salary.com reports that an entry-level PT earns an average annual income of $102,553. Having 2 more years of experience can increase a PT's salary to $103,314.
After 2 to 4 years of experience, the salary of PTs could increase to about $106,663. Specialist and expert-level PTs can earn up to $109,708 and $110,469, respectively.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level PT | $102,553 |
| Intermediate Level PT | $103,314 |
| Senior Level PT | $106,663 |
| Specialist Level PT | $109,708 |
| Expert Level PT | $110,469 |
How to Increase Salary as a PT?
To be a PT, an employee has to have be a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) beforehand. This means that they should finish an accredited program before even being considered for the role.
Below are some of the common skills and advancements needed for a salary raise as a PT.
PT Advancements
- Education: As mentioned above, PTs need to pass a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from accredited state programs.
- Experience: Most PTs should have at least 1 or 2 years of prior experience to be considered for the role.
- Learn the needed skills: Some skills are required for the role of PT. Thus, learning the them can help aspiring PTs to have a better understanding of their role.
PT Skills
Gaining sought-after skills for a PT is an effective way to earn a better salary and unlock more career opportunities.
The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand PT skills are Healthcare Data Privacy and Protection and patient education, with both having a 10.70% demand increase compared to other skills.
On the other hand, essential skills such exercise physiology and therapeutic care knowledge can increase the salary for PTs by 9.56% and 9%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | 10.30% | 9.56% |
| Therapeutic Care | 10.60% | 9.00% |
| Safety, Injury Prevention and Emergency Procedures | 10.50% | 8.28% |
| Healthcare Data Privacy and Protection | 10.70% | 8.18% |
| Patient Safety | 10.60% | 8.01% |
| Physical Therapy Equipment Operation | 10.60% | 7.98% |
What are The FAQs About PTs' Salary?
Here are some common questions about or related to PTs' salary:
What does the PT do?
A PT, or physical therapists, work by helping patients with their mobility issues and providing them with personalized exercise regimen that can help them with it. Additionally, PTs are also responsible for evaluating a patient's overall progress and help them track their health better.
What skills should PTs possess?
As mentioned above, an ideal candidate for the PT role should possess skills like Healthcare Data Privacy and Protection and patient education. However, having skills like exercise physiology and therapeutic care knowledge can help a PT earn more.
How much does a PT earn in the U.S.?
The average physical therapy salary in the United States is $105,902, or $51 per hour in the United States, as of September 5, 2025. The highest median PT salary can go up to $125,389 for those who belong in the 90th percentile.
