Physical therapists in the US earn a median of $102,760 a year in base pay. The middle half earn between $86,160 and $121,160, and the top 10% earn more than $135,140 (BLS OEWS May 2025). To negotiate, aim for the part of that range that matches your experience — with 3–5 years, for example, $103,000 to $121,000 — and open slightly above it.
How much do physical therapists make?
| Percentile | Annual base pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | $77,140 |
| 25th | $86,160 |
| Median | $102,760 |
| 75th | $121,160 |
| 90th | $135,140 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Physical Therapists, national, about 267,330 jobs. BLS figures are base pay including commissions and production bonuses; they exclude year-end bonuses, stock, overtime and benefits.
Where physical therapists earn the most
| State | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| California | $124,190 | $141,260 |
| Alaska | $115,280 | $129,760 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 | $129,780 |
| Nevada | $111,250 | $134,420 |
| Maryland | $106,890 | $125,440 |
Pay also differs within a state — big metro areas often pay more. Use your state's numbers when you set your target.
What should you ask for as a physical therapist?
| Experience | Suggested target range | Open with about |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $86,000–$103,000 | $108,000 |
| 3–5 years | $103,000–$121,000 | $127,000 |
| 6–10 years | $110,000–$126,000 | $132,000 |
| 10+ years | $121,000–$135,000 | $142,000 |
The ranges follow national percentiles by experience (25th–50th, 50th–75th, 60th–80th, 75th–90th); the opening number is the top of the range plus about 5%, rounded. Guidance, not a guarantee — check your state and experience, and see how to negotiate salary.
What drives physical therapist pay?
Physical therapists help patients recover movement and manage pain after injury, surgery or illness. Pay depends on the setting — outpatient clinics, hospitals, home health, skilled nursing — and often on productivity expectations, such as visits per day, that change what a salary is really worth.
- Setting: outpatient, hospital, home health, skilled nursing or schools.
- Productivity targets, for example visits per day or per week.
- Per-visit pay in home health versus salary.
- Specialist certifications, for example orthopedic or neurologic.
Your leverage as a physical therapist
- A board specialist certification or residency.
- A caseload you can build quickly, or referral relationships.
- Experience in a niche the clinic wants to grow, such as pelvic health or vestibular.
- Willingness to cover evenings, Saturdays or a second site.
- Clinical instructor experience with students.
Only use leverage you really have. Never invent a competing offer.
Physical therapist objections and how to answer
| They say | You can say |
|---|---|
| “Our productivity bonus makes up the difference.” | “What productivity target does it assume, and what did therapists earn from it last year?” |
| “Home health pays per visit, so salary isn't comparable.” | “Then let's compare: at [number] visits a week, what's the annual total?” |
| “We offer continuing education instead.” | “That's valuable. I'd like it in addition to a base of [number].” |
| “New grads all start at the same rate.” | “Could we agree on a review after six months, tied to my caseload?” |
Sample counter offer for a physical therapist
Thank you — I'm excited about the clinic. With my [certification] and [number] years in [setting], I'm asking for a base of [number], with a productivity target of [number] visits a day and [amount] in continuing education. The national median for physical therapists is $102,760.
Then stop talking and let them respond.
Asking for a raise as a physical therapist
Bring outcomes and retention data, referral growth and any program you started. If productivity targets rose, the pay should reflect the extra visits.