How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$102,760
Physical therapists in the U.S. earn a median of $102,760 a year, or $49.40 an hour. Half of physical therapists earn more than $102,760 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $135,140.
Pay percentiles for physical therapists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37.09 | $77,140 |
| 25th | $41.42 | $86,160 |
| 50th (median) | $49.40 | $102,760 |
| 75th | $58.25 | $121,160 |
| 90th | $64.97 | $135,140 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $124,190 | $59.71 | +21% |
| Alaska | $115,280 | $55.43 | +12% |
| New Jersey | $112,140 | $53.91 | +9% |
| Nevada | $111,250 | $53.48 | +8% |
| Maryland | $106,890 | $51.39 | +4% |
| New Mexico | $106,880 | $51.38 | +4% |
| Washington | $105,950 | $50.94 | +3% |
| Texas | $105,810 | $50.87 | +3% |
| Illinois | $105,250 | $50.60 | +2% |
| Connecticut | $104,360 | $50.17 | +2% |
| United States | $102,760 | $49.40 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many physical therapists are there?
BLS counts about 267,330 physical therapists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (26,580), Texas (21,870) and New York (20,940).
The mean (average) annual wage is $105,280, higher than the median of $102,760.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,563
- Biweekly
- $3,952
- Weekly
- $1,976
- Daily (8 hours)
- $395
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do physical therapists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for physical therapists is $49.40. The middle 50% earn between $41.42 and $58.25 an hour.
Which state pays physical therapists the most?
California has the highest median wage for physical therapists at $124,190, +21% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for physical therapists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of physical therapists earn less than $77,140 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.