Physical therapists in the United States have a median annual salary of approximately $99,710 to $101,020 as of 2023-2024, with slight variations depending on the source and year
. The median wage means half of physical therapists earn more than this amount, and half earn less. Salary Range and Top Earners:
- The top 10% of physical therapists earn more than $130,870 annually
- Entry-level or lower 10% salaries can be below $72,260
Salary by Work Setting:
- Home healthcare services tend to pay the highest median salaries, around $107,870 to $116,500 annually
- Hospitals offer median salaries around $103,690 to $104,520
- Nursing and residential care facilities pay about $102,810 to $101,200
- Offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists pay around $93,050 to $92,620
Salary by Specialty:
Physical therapists with board certifications in certain specialties may earn
different average salaries:
- Wound Management: ~$88,225
- Geriatrics: ~$83,936
- Orthopedics: ~$82,000
- Sports Medicine: ~$75,000
- Neurology: ~$74,746
- Pediatrics: ~$71,684
- Women’s Health: ~$84,000
Geographic Variation:
States like California, New York, Texas, and Washington have higher average
salaries ranging from about $100,810 to $114,270 annually
. Additional Factors Affecting Salary:
- Experience, education level, and advanced certifications can increase earnings.
- Physical therapists who own private practices often earn more than those employed by others
- Management roles in physical therapy (e.g., Rehabilitation Director, Physical Therapy Director) can command higher salaries, sometimes exceeding $130,000 annually
In summary, physical therapists make around $100,000 per year on average, with potential to earn significantly more depending on specialty, location, experience, and work setting.
