How much do physical therapists make starting out?
John Johnson
Updated on March 25, 2026
The average starting or entry-level pay for physical therapists in 2018 was $66,685. Experienced therapists averaged $81,301. Late in their careers PT salaries averaged $84,726. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show the median annual physical therapist income in 2017 was $86,850.
What is the lowest paid physical therapist?
How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make? Physical Therapists made a median salary of $89,440 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $104,210 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $73,940.
Which physical therapy setting pays the most?
home health
Practice Setting. Another factor that contributes to salary rates for physical therapists: where you treat. According to PayScale.com, home health, long-term care, home care, and geriatric facilities are the highest paying PT areas.
Can physical therapists get rich?
People often wonder if they can become wealthy in their profession. In this case as a physical therapist. The answer is yes you can become wealthy with any profession provided you are disciplined enough to do what it takes to do so, and you possess the knowledge needed to do so.
Can physical therapists make 100k?
666 hours per year / 26 pay periods is 25 hours per pay period, every pay period. So on top of your 40 hour a week job you would need to pick up 25 hours per pay period, all year. So the answer to your question is no, you probably can’t make $100,000 this way.
Can you make 6 figures as a physical therapist?
But in reality, most physical therapy jobs pay much less than six figures, starting in the $60-70k range and averaging out around $88k a year. The degree doesn’t fetch you a higher salary.
Do you get paid as a physical therapist?
A Physical Therapist can be paid on an hourly or salary basis. From a new therapist perspective, it may be appealing to have a set schedule with a salary. However, therapists often work more than a standard 40 hour week due to paperwork and documentation time.
How much does a physical therapist make in Virginia?
A Physical Therapist in your area makes on average $84,698 per year, or $4,651 (5%) less than the national average annual salary of $89,349. Virginia ranks number 10 out of 50 states nationwide for Physical Therapist salaries.
Do you need a DPT to be a physical therapist?
Works cooperatively with physicians, case managers, and insurance adjusters. In addition, Physical Therapist (PT) requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Typically reports to a manager. Requires state license to practice physical therapy.
Do you get Variable pay as a physical therapist?
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices. What is the Pay by Experience Level for Physical Therapist (PT)s?