How Much Physical Therapists Make In Each State
Below are all 50 states and how much physical therapists earn a year on average, according to the BLS. Wisconsin physical therapist incomes have increased the most from 2017 to 2018, by 5.7%. Delaware came in second in this regard with 5.1% growth, New Mexico in third with 5% growth. Nevada physical therapists have the highest income currently, but average annual salaries there are actually on the low-end historically. In 2016, the mean annual wage was $120,820 for physical therapists, before declining by nearly 15% to $102,860 in 2017.
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Putting Physical Therapist Debt Into Perspective
The average debt for bachelors degree graduates in the United States is $29,900. For the sake of example, lets say you ended up with $110,000 in student loans after graduating with your D.P.T. That would be an extra $80,100 in student debt than the national average.
As well see in a moment, physical therapist salaries havent been rising as quickly as student loans. Brett Kestenbaum, Chief Operating Officer of Covalent Careers, a health care professionals career development company in San Diego, is worried this could cause physical therapists to begin abandoning physical therapy as a career path.
He says, With the debt-to-earnings ratio increasing, physical therapists will likely start looking for alternative sources of income. This may cause an increase in professional drop-out rates over time.
A Low Pt Salary Keeps You Broke
Fuzzy feelings wont pay your student loans, and neither will a meager starting salary. Ive been alluding to it from the top, but the second reason PT grads are broke is because they start off on a salary too small for their gigantic student loan debt.
But, wont the income eventually increase? you ask.
Sure, youll receive raises over time, possibly $1,000$2,000 each year if youre lucky. But after 10 years, that $70k starting salary will only grow to $85k, likely capping out pretty close to that figure for the next 10 years.
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Physical Therapist Assistant Jobs
A physical therapist assistant works under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. They implement certain aspects of patient treatment, obtain data related to treatments and modify treatment as directed by the supervising physical therapist. Physical therapy assistants may perform the following duties:
- Teaching and assisting patients in exercises that improve mobility, strength and coordination.
- Training patients in using crutches, canes or walkers properly.
- Administering massage or electrotherapy.
While a physical therapist assistant maintains their own license, they must practice under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist . The physical therapy assistant reports to their supervising DPT and helps implement patient treatment plans but does not diagnose or create plans on their own they also have fewer responsibilities than a physical therapist. To become a physical therapist assistant, you need to obtain an associate degree from a two-year program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and successfully complete a national licensing exam.
How Do I Advance In My Physical Therapy Career

In order to advance in your career, its absolutely necessary for you to stay on top of any continuing education units you need, as well as to stay abreast of physical therapy trends and research. Being knowledgeable in the present and future of your field will keep you ahead of the curve at all times.
In addition to this, your best bet for advancing in your field is to establish a great name for yourself by producing the best possible results for your patients. Your experience and success are what will ultimately help you advance and make you indispensable at any facility you work for.
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Recent Salary Records For Assistant Physical Therapist
View the most recent Salary Records anonymously contributed on Comparably.
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A MaleAssistant Physical Therapist reported making $100,000 per year in Sacramento at a company with 5,001-10,000 Employees in Healthcare, Hospitals and Medicine industry.
More than 30 days ago · $100,000· 5,001-10,000 Employees· Sacramento, CA
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $58,000 per year
More than 30 days ago · $58,000
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $49,350 per year
More than 30 days ago · $49,350
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $76,000 per year in Baltimore
More than 30 days ago · $76,000· Baltimore, MD
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $50,000 per year
More than 30 days ago · $50,000
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $60,000 per year in Los Angeles
More than 30 days ago · $60,000· Los Angeles, CA
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $55,000 per year in Albany
More than 30 days ago · $55,000· Albany, NY
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $45,000 per year
More than 30 days ago · $45,000
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $50,000 per year in Akron
More than 30 days ago · $50,000· Akron, OH
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An Assistant Physical Therapist reported making $50,000 per year in Los Angeles
More than 30 days ago · $50,000· Los Angeles, CA
Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Options
Lets say Jared has $100,000 in student loans at 6%. His physical therapist starting salary is $70,000. Lets also say that Jared is not married and that his income will grow at 3% per year.
Now, lets compare four different payment options:
- Revised Pay As You Earn
- Pay As You Earn
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Refinancing into a 10-year fixed rate at 3.5%
Immediately, youll notice PSLF is by far the best option. This is a game-changer for those who can qualify. Not only does PSLF allow borrowers to have their loans forgiven 10 years earlier than PAYE, but the forgiven amount is not taxed.
But what if Jared is unable to find employment at a nonprofit hospital or wants to open his own practice?
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Cost Of The Dpt Program
The best way to increase the chances that your salary will be worth the debt is to decrease the cost of your physical therapy education. As with most degrees, the cost of DPT programs depends largely on where you go to school.
Theres a huge disparity between the average annual tuition of DPT programs at state versus private schools. Check out the latest data from CAPTE:
- Public in-state: $18,514
- Public out-of-state: $33,879
- Private: $36,882
If youre looking to begin a DPT program, always check to see how much it would cost to enroll in one of your state schools. There are many high-quality state schools that offer DPT degrees for less than $50,000 in total.
If you happen to live in a state that doesnt have a public university with a competitive DPT program, enrolling in another states university could still save you money over a private school.
Basic And Transferable Workplace Skills
Basic skills for physical therapists and related careers include:
- Active listening: Physical therapists, assistants and aides need to gather information from patients while allowing them to feel seen and heard.
- Critical thinking: Patients may present complex symptoms or unpredictable responses to treatment, and physical therapists must look for patterns and processes in order to diagnose and treat effectively.
- Empathy and compassion: Positive bedside manner is essential as physical therapists guide patients through recovery.
- Physical fitness: Physical therapy is an active career where you may be on your feet most of the day. You may need to help support patients as they move or lift and manipulate medical equipment.
Some physical therapy skills can transfer to other job environments:
- Giving health care instruction.
- Using tablets, laptops and other devices.
- Complying with HIPAA and other health care privacy regulations.
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What Are Top 5 Best Paying Related Physical Therapist Jobs In New York City
We found at least 5 jobs related to the Physical Therapist job category that pay more per year than a typical Physical Therapist salary in New York City, NY. Top examples of these roles include: Physical Therapist Contract, HOME CARE Physical Therapist, and PT Physical Therapist.
Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $22,438 and $41,107 more than the average Physical Therapist salary of $91,130. If youre qualified, getting hired for one of these related Physical Therapist jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Physical Therapist position.
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What Are The Factors That Impact A Physical Therapist Salary
As a physical therapy practice owner or manager, its clearly important to know what type of physical therapist salary is most appropriate to pay a new hire into your practice. Sometimes it may feel like a shot in the dark to select a salary to meet the needs of your new physical therapist and negotiations may also play a part in the final outcome of what their salary may be. But in order to get started without shooting in the dark, there are many tips we can give you to help make this decision clearer and on par with what is smart for your practice.
There are so many variables to take into account when determining a physical therapists salary and what is appropriate for your practice. Not every physical therapist can fit into a perfect mold when deciding on a salary. Here are a few major factors to consider when making a decision.
Cost of living index 2019
Licensing And Certification For Physical Therapists

All states require physical therapists to acquire a license of practice. While each state has its own licensing requirements, most require that candidates pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. Some states have additional requirements such as law exams and criminal background checks. Check with your state boards to know the specific licensing requirements.
Some physical therapists may decide to become a board-certified specialist. In this case, the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers certification in nine clinical specialty areas including sports, orthopedics, cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, neurology, womens health and geriatrics. Therapists applying for ABPTS certification must pass a specialty certification exam and have at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in their specialty area within the last ten years.
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Physical Therapist Salary Considerations For Role Diversity
The role of a physical therapist can be extremely diverse. There are opportunities to work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, on the sports field, in patients homes, in outpatient centers or private practice clinics, and other niche areas where physical therapists are needed. Lets be honest here. The less desirable of a setting to work in, the higher the salary is going to end up being. Its another basic case of supply and demand. Most skilled nursing facilities arent the desired setting for the majority of licensed PTs. Luckily the reimbursement for PT services in this setting is higher, to then be able to attract more therapists with a higher salary for the job.
Typically, the lower salaries for physical therapists are going to reside in non-hospital outpatient clinics. Private practice physical therapy offices have a lower insurance reimbursement, placing more of a capitated amount on what their therapists can make. But whats the trade off? Working for a family-centric environment allows you to be part of something bigger and truly take ownership and pride in what you do. It also gives you a really good sense of community. Youre not just a number for some big corporation youre a therapist that truly makes an impact in peoples lives throughout your community. So its believed that these types of settings are a bit more desirable for this reason.
Physical Therapist I Salary In New York
How much does a Physical Therapist I make in New York? The average Physical Therapist I salary in New York is $97,822 as of October 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $88,062 and $105,725. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Percentile | |
10th Percentile Physical Therapist I Salary | $79,176 |
25th Percentile Physical Therapist I Salary | $88,062 |
50th Percentile Physical Therapist I Salary | $97,822 |
75th Percentile Physical Therapist I Salary | $105,725 |
90th Percentile Physical Therapist I Salary | $112,919 |
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How Much Does A Physical Therapist Make In New York City New York
As of Nov 11, 2022, the average annual pay for a Physical Therapist in New York City is $91,130 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $43.81 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,752/week or $7,594/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $159,053 and as low as $50,831, the majority of Physical Therapist salaries currently range between $82,532 to $109,315 with top earners making $135,004 annually in New York City.
The average pay range for a Physical Therapist varies greatly , which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Physical Therapist job market in both New York City, NY and the surrounding area is very active.
To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Physical Therapist jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
Find your next high paying job as a on ZipRecruiter today.
How To Not Become A Broke Pt
Look, Im not trying to paint a gloom-and-doom situation and scare you out of becoming a PT.
Instead, I want to give you some resources that will put you back on track financially and help you set yourself up for future financial success.
Whether you are considering physical therapy school or youve just graduated with a DPT, you should take the time to read these two books:
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Examples Of Physical Therapist Salary In The Usa
Physical Therapist Salary
Most people know that in the sales industry, employee salaries are initially lower and the rest of their income comes directly from their performance as a commission. According to Harvard Business Review, a 60:40 pay mix is the average for U.S. sales forces, but the mix varies across industries and sales roles. A very aggressive mix is common in industries such as insurance that use independent contractors as sales agents. A less aggressive mix is typical in industries such as pharmaceuticals that want salespeople to focus on customer education, and for technical sales jobs that have a large problem-solving component.
Best Physical Therapist Repayment Options When Pslf Is Unavailable
In this case, Jareds next best option financially would be to refinance into a new 10-year private student loan at 3.5%. But if cash flow is Jareds biggest concern, then his best choice would be PAYE.
At the beginning of repayment, PAYE would free up nearly $700 in Jareds monthly budget over refinancing. Yet PAYE would also cost $36,000 less than REPAYE over the life of the loan.
Yes, youll pay nearly $50,000 more in total out-of-pocket payments with PAYE over refinancing. But, remember that Jared would have an extra 10 years to make those payments. And in the meantime, his cash flow situation would be far more manageable.
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See Assistant Physical Therapists Salaries In Other Areas
A Degree From A Capte

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education ensures the quality of physical therapy education programs throughout the country. But how much education does a physical therapist need? There is some variation between programs, but most CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate programs are three years long and require a bachelors degree for admission. DPT degree holders may complete optional residencies and fellowships to further their education. Physical therapists can also pursue specialty certification in fields like geriatrics, orthopedics, pediatrics and others through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Physical therapy assistants must obtain a two-year associate degree from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy education program. Physical therapy aides do not need any particular level of education or licensure but should possess the basic and transferable skills listed above.
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How Much Tax Will You Have To Pay As An Assistant Physical Therapist In New York City Ny
For an individual filer in this tax bracket, you would have an estimated average federal tax in 2018 of 22% and an added New York state tax of 6.33%. After the combined taxes have been taken out, Assistant Physical Therapists could expect to have a take-home pay of $56,040/year, with each paycheck equaling approximately $2,335*.
* assuming bi-monthly pay period. Taxes estimated using tax rates for a single filer using 2018 federal and state tax tables. Metro-specific taxes are not considered in calculations. This data is intended to be an estimate, not prescriptive financial or tax advice.