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 at freejobpost.co 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.
Hiring in this space?
Ava Health places physicians, nurses, and therapists nationwide
Permanent, locum, and travel placement. No fees to candidates.
Explore staffing services →Free tool
2026 Healthcare Salary Calculator
Estimate comp by specialty, state, experience, and practice setting. Based on MGMA, AMGA, and BLS benchmarks.
Try the salary calculator →Be on the launch list
Salary data, hiring plays, and market trends. We'll email you when issue 1 ships. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.