Many factors affect how much physical therapists earn. Their salaries can change based on where they work and the type of work they do. For example, some physical therapists are in hospitals, while others are in nursing homes. A physical therapist’s pay can also depend on their education and years of experience. The average physical therapist in America makes $35 per hour. However, many therapists earn over $60 per hour because of contract jobs that help cover their expenses.
This article will discuss several aspects of a physical therapist’s salary. It will talk about the average yearly wage in each state. It will also cover the type of physical therapist you are, your experience, working hours, and more!
How Much Does A Physical Therapist Make An Hour Based On Different Variations?
A physical therapist’s pay depends on their education and how many years of experience they have. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that, in 2020, the highest average wage for physical therapists was about $60.95 an hour, which is around $126,780 a year. The median wage and average salary for a PT in the United States is $68,000, based on the BLS report.
Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50%(Median) | 75% | 90%
- Hourly Wage: $30.54
- Hourly Wage: $36.23
- Hourly Wage: $43.75
- Hourly Wage: $50.99
- Hourly Wage: $60.95
- Annual Wage:
- $63,530
- $75,360
- $91,010
- $106,060
- $126,780
Salaries For Physical Therapists Vary By State
If you are thinking about a job in Physical Therapy, it is good to know which states have the most openings. Here is your list!
According to the BLS statistics from May 2020, California has the most jobs for physical therapists. It is in first place. New York comes next, followed by Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
- State
- Employment
- Hourly mean wage
- Annual mean wage
- Occupational employment
California | 22,100 | $50.24 | $ 104,500
New York | 16,150 | $44.64 | $ 92,860
Texas | 14,710 | $43.69 | $ 90,870
Florida | 13,630 | $41.06 | $ 85,410
Pennsylvania | 10,670 | $43.70 | $ 90,890
- List of the statistics that pay the most to physical therapists below
State | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage
Nevada | $52.20 | $ 108,580
California | $50.24 | $ 104,500
Alaska | $48.65 | $ 101,190
New Jersey | $48.43 | $ 100,740
Connecticut | $48.36 | $ 100,580
Physical Therapist Salary Vary For Working Experience
- A survey by the American Physical Therapy Association shows that people with experience earn, on average, $12,000 more each year.
- New therapists usually start with a salary around $67,000.
- If you have over 10 years of experience, your salary can grow to about $90,000 or more each year.
Many surveys show that therapists usually earn less when they first start their jobs. This has been true over several decades, with the latest survey completed last year. A recent study by APTA found that physical therapy graduates see their pay increase by about 12% each year. They start with a salary of around $67,000. After four years, they generally make about $80,000.
Different Kinds of PT Make Different
A physical therapist’s pay depends on where they work and their area of focus. If you want to earn more, you can choose jobs in places or fields that pay better. A traveling physical therapist can earn 1.5 times more than a regular physical therapist. This can mean an extra $50,000 each year for someone who makes around $64 an hour locally. Here are some average salaries for physical therapists.
- Salary from Hospital-Based Outpatient: $85,000
- Salary from Private Outpatient Clinic: $80,000
- Salary from Inpatient Rehab: $82,000
- Salary from Acute Care Hospital: $89,000
- Salary from Home Health: $90,000
- Salary from Academic Institution: $90,000
To Make More Money, You Need To Earn More Per Hour
If you are a physical therapist, you can earn money either by the hour or with a salary. The hourly pay for those on salary depends on how many hours they work. This means that for each hour you work beyond the 40 hours scheduled in a week, you will earn $20 to $40 more than what is average.
A therapist who has been working for less than 5 years makes $80,000 a year. To reach this amount by working 40 hours each week, she needs to charge at least $38 per hour. This does not include taxes or extra costs!
A usual therapy session goes on for about an hour. The cost of this session is about what many people earn in one day, which is around 8 dollars.
- A therapist who gets a salary and has over 10 years of experience makes around $89,000 each year.
- A worker with experience can earn a good living as long as they work 50 hours or less each week for this salary.
Documentation May Decrease Your Hourly Rate
The more money you earn, the more time and cash you spend. Picture this: you earn $36 for every hour you work 40 hours a week. But you also spend 10 more hours just to document your work. This means your pay drops to under $8 an hour!
Just because a salary is over 67k does not mean you will earn a higher hourly pay. This is true, especially if you have to spend unpaid time on paperwork. For example, if your salary is 75K, you would earn about 36 dollars an hour if you work full-time at 40 hours a week (8 am to 5 pm). If you spend an extra ten hours on paperwork, your income could drop from $72,000 to $70,000 each year. If you want to understand your salary better, keep your Ray ID ready for questions about your calculations.
Education and Specialization in Physical Therapy
To be a physical therapist, you need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. If you choose specializations like orthopedics, pediatrics, or sports therapy, you can earn more money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median wage for physical therapists in the United States is about $90,000 each year as of April 2023.
If you get specialized certifications or advanced degrees, you can increase your salary further. It is important to keep learning to be competitive in this job. You can find chances for growth and better pay through specialty certifications and advanced practice areas.
Physical Therapist Education Requirements
Salaries for physical therapists can change a lot depending on where they work. Things like the need for therapists, the cost of living, and available jobs all affect these differences. For example, physical therapists in California usually earn more per hour than those in states where there is less need. Knowing about these differences is important for people wanting to be physical therapists. It helps them make smart choices based on what they want to earn and their goals.
Physical Therapy Specializations and Practice Settings
Salaries for physical therapists can change a lot depending on the state. This is because of how many people need them and the cost of living in that area. Usually, more experienced physical therapists earn more than those who are just starting. Different specialties in physical therapy can also affect how much they get paid per hour. You can raise your hourly rate to increase your overall income. Also, being good at documentation can affect your pay rate. Knowing these factors can help you understand how compensation works for physical therapists.
Faq’s Related To Physical Therapist Wage
When you decide to become a physical therapist, you might have questions about this job. No matter where you are in the United States, you can find information about your health.
Q:1. How much does a physical therapist make an hour in California?
A physical therapist in California earns about $46.19 per hour on average. This job can be very rewarding over a lifetime. A report from the Bay Area News Group in 2012 showed that therapists in the Bay Area make between $44,000 and $90,000 when working full-time. If you work more than 40 hours in one week, your pay might increase by up to 6%. Also, for every two years of experience you gain, your pay may grow by up to 3%.
Q:2. How much does a physical therapist make an hour in New York?
If you want a new job that feels enjoyable, you might want to consider being a physical therapist. The average salary for physical therapists in New York is $90,880.
Q:3. How much does a physical therapist make an hour in Florida?
A study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that physical therapists in Florida make over two times the salary of those in other states. They earn an average salary of $85,410. The difference is even bigger for therapists working in the largest city area in Florida.
Q:4. How much does a physical therapist make an hour in Texas?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2020, a physical therapist in Texas earns an average hourly wage of $43.69. This adds up to an annual average wage of $90,870.
Vertex:
If you ask a physical therapist how much they earn per hour, they will probably say it’s $100. However, if you then talk about their salary and benefits, their answer may change. They might then share that their pay is $75 an hour. But if you ask again about their total wage, which includes salary and benefits, they may have to admit that it’s actually $55 an hour. But this changes again if you ask how.