Physical Therapist Salary

Physical Therapist Salary by Setting

Median annual wages for physical therapists also vary by practice setting, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 industry-specific wage data:

• Home Health Care Services- $114,740
• Nursing and Residential Care Facilities- $110,460
• Hospitals- $106,800
• Offices of Other Health Practitioners- $97,290

Physical Therapist Salary by State

^{Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.}

Physical Therapist vs. Physical Therapist Assistant Pay

A physical therapist (PT) and a physical therapist assistant (PTA) are different roles with different pay and credentialing. Nationally, the median annual wage for physical therapists was $102,760 in May 2025, compared with $68,380 for physical therapist assistants, according to the same BLS OEWS release.

PTs are licensed in every U.S. jurisdiction, while PTAs are licensed or certified depending on the state, according to the American Physical Therapy Association. PTs typically complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and PTAs typically complete an associate degree — the current entry-level education paths for each role, per the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

PT scope of practice, including direct-access provisions, is set by state practice acts and varies by jurisdiction; PTAs work under a PT's supervision within that framework.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ

Is the median salary the same as what I'd personally earn as a physical therapist?

Not necessarily. The median is the midpoint of all reported wages nationally — half of physical therapists earn more, half earn less. Your actual pay depends on factors such as your state and practice setting; the state and setting breakdowns above are a closer starting point than the national figure alone.

Are physical therapists paid a salary or an hourly wage?

Both arrangements are common; how a given employer pays is a matter of individual employer practice rather than something BLS tracks by setting. According to BLS OEWS methodology, the annual wage figures above are generally calculated using a standard 2,080-hour work year, so an individual's actual annual pay can differ if they work more or fewer hours, or are paid hourly rather than salaried.

Which practice settings pay physical therapists the most?

Based on May 2025 BLS data, home health care and nursing/residential care settings report the highest median pay among the settings shown above, while offices of other health practitioners report the lowest. Pay by state also varies substantially, as shown in the state table above.

Do physical therapists and physical therapist assistants do the same job?

No. Physical therapists evaluate patients, diagnose movement dysfunction, and design treatment plans within their state's scope of practice; physical therapist assistants carry out portions of that plan under a physical therapist's supervision. The roles require different entry-level education, and PTA credentialing (license or certification) varies by state, which is reflected in the pay difference above.