Healthcare Recruiting
Physical Therapist Salary by State 2026: Where PTs Earn the Most
Physical therapist salaries in 2026 average $100,000–$115,000 nationally, but the range is wide: PTs in high-demand states and settings can earn $130,000+, while rural outpatient PTs in low-cost states may see base salaries under $85,000. This guide covers 2026 PT pay benchmarks, top-paying states, and how setting and specialty affect total compensation.
National Physical Therapist Salary Benchmarks (2026)
| Setting | Median Base Salary | Top 25% |
|---|---|---|
| Acute care hospital | $110,000 | $130,000 |
| Inpatient rehabilitation | $108,000 | $125,000 |
| Outpatient orthopedics | $98,000 | $118,000 |
| Skilled nursing facility (SNF) | $105,000 | $120,000 |
| Home health | $106,000 | $122,000 |
| Pediatric / school-based | $92,000 | $110,000 |
| Travel PT (contract) | N/A | $1,800–$2,600/week |
Sources: BLS May 2024 OES, APTA 2024 Physical Therapist Salary Survey.
Top 15 Highest-Paying States for Physical Therapists (2026)
| Rank | State | Median PT Salary | Key Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $128,000+ | Las Vegas metro, acute care |
| 2 | California | $125,000+ | LA, Bay Area, San Diego |
| 3 | Alaska | $123,000+ | Anchorage, rural health |
| 4 | New Jersey | $121,000+ | NJ/NYC metro, hospital systems |
| 5 | Connecticut | $118,000+ | Hartford, New Haven |
| 6 | Texas | $117,000+ | Houston, Dallas, Austin |
| 7 | New York | $116,000+ | NYC metro, SUNY hospital system |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $115,000+ | Boston, academic medical centers |
| 9 | Washington | $114,000+ | Seattle, Spokane |
| 10 | Arizona | $113,000+ | Phoenix, Tucson |
| 11 | Oregon | $112,000+ | Portland, OHSU |
| 12 | Colorado | $111,000+ | Denver, sports medicine corridor |
| 13 | Virginia | $110,000+ | Northern Virginia, Richmond |
| 14 | Minnesota | $109,000+ | Twin Cities, Mayo |
| 15 | Maryland | $109,000+ | Baltimore/DC metro |
How Setting Affects PT Pay
Setting is the primary driver of PT salary variation — often more than geography:
- Acute care hospital: Highest base salaries in most markets. Hospital-employed PTs often receive full benefits, overtime, shift differential, and structured raise schedules.
- Outpatient orthopedics: Widely variable. Private outpatient clinics may start PTs at $80,000 in competitive markets with productivity bonuses that can push total comp to $110,000+ for high-volume therapists. Large PT chain employers (ATI, Select Medical, Athletico) use standardized national pay grids.
- SNF: SNF PTs frequently earn per-visit or per-unit rates that create higher hourly effective pay for high-productivity therapists. The tradeoff is documentation burden and RUG/PDPM pressure.
- Home health: Per-visit pay ($60–$90/visit) creates income variability. PTs who manage high visit volumes efficiently can earn $110,000+, but the lack of schedule predictability is a quality-of-life concern.
Specialty PT Salary Premium (2026)
| PT Specialty / Certification | Typical Premium Over Median |
|---|---|
| Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) | +$8,000–$15,000 |
| Sports Physical Therapy (SCS) | +$10,000–$18,000 |
| Neurological Clinical Specialist (NCS) | +$8,000–$12,000 |
| Pelvic Health | +$10,000–$20,000 (niche, high demand) |
| Wound Care / CWCPT | +$8,000–$15,000 |
| Hand Therapy (CHT) | +$12,000–$20,000 |
Travel Physical Therapist Rates (2026)
Travel PT contracts have stabilized post-pandemic but remain well above pre-2020 rates:
- Standard 13-week contract: $1,800–$2,400/week all-in (taxable + non-taxable stipends)
- High-demand markets (CA, NV, AK): $2,200–$2,800/week all-in
- SNF-focused travel PT: $1,600–$2,000/week (lower acuity premium, higher volume expectations)
- Pediatric travel PT: $2,000–$2,500/week (specialty premium, limited supply)
Note: Travel PT assignments are typically W2 through the staffing agency. The non-taxable housing and meal stipends (non-taxable if the PT maintains a permanent tax home) often represent 30–40% of the gross weekly rate.
Browse PT positions or source physical therapist candidates at app.avahealth.co.
Related: PT Salary Guide 2026, PT Interview Questions, OT Salary by State, RN Salary by State.
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