Physical Therapist Salary Overview 2026
Physical therapists (PTs) require a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) — a 3-year graduate program typically costing $80,000–$150,000. Understanding your true take-home pay is critical for assessing the financial ROI of the degree.
National PT Salary Ranges (2026)
| Setting | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Outpatient clinic | $72,000 – $95,000 |
| Hospital (acute care) | $78,000 – $105,000 |
| Home health | $85,000 – $115,000 |
| Travel PT | $90,000 – $130,000 |
| Sports / private practice | $65,000 – $100,000 |
| Pediatrics | $68,000 – $90,000 |
| SNF / long-term care | $75,000 – $100,000 |
BLS mean annual wage for physical therapists (2025): $101,290
Salary by State
| State | Mean Annual PT Salary | Take-Home (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $109,000 | ~$79,500 |
| California | $107,000 | ~$73,000 |
| Alaska | $105,000 | ~$76,800 |
| New Jersey | $103,000 | ~$72,000 |
| Texas | $99,000 | ~$72,800 |
| Washington | $98,000 | ~$71,900 |
| Connecticut | $97,000 | ~$67,800 |
| Colorado | $92,000 | ~$67,200 |
| Florida | $88,000 | ~$65,100 |
| Mississippi | $76,000 | ~$57,900 |
The DPT Financial Picture
Before entering a DPT program, consider the full financial equation:
Degree cost: $100,000 average (tuition + living costs for 3 years) Opportunity cost: 3 years of potential earnings foregone
ROI calculation:
- Starting PT salary: ~$75,000
- Starting salary without DPT (bachelor's degree): ~$50,000
- Annual premium: $25,000
- Break-even on $100,000 in student debt: ~4 years after graduation
With PSLF: If you work in a hospital or nonprofit setting, federal loan forgiveness after 10 years makes the DPT financially very attractive.
Travel PT: The Highest-Paid Option
Travel physical therapists — who take temporary assignments (typically 13 weeks) in underserved locations — earn the highest gross pay in the profession:
- Base pay: $45–$60/hour
- Tax-free housing stipend: $1,500–$2,500/month
- Tax-free meal/incidental stipend: $400–$600/month
- Total gross package: $90,000–$130,000/year
The tax-free stipends (not subject to income tax as long as you maintain a tax home) dramatically increase effective take-home pay compared to staff positions.
PT vs NP: Which Career Pays More?
| Metric | Physical Therapist | Nurse Practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Education | DPT (3 years) | MSN or DNP (2–3 years) |
| Starting salary | $70,000 | $95,000 |
| Average salary | $95,000 | $125,000 |
| Ceiling | $130,000 | $175,000+ |
| Student debt | $100,000 | $60,000 |
| Job growth | 15% (2023–2033) | 38% (2023–2033) |