Official national median: US$102,760 a year for Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2025). Observed figure, published May 2025.
For context, the SalaryByRole job-title median is US$92,000 a year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
The United States national median for a physical therapist is US$92,000 a year, or about US$7,700 a month before tax.
BLS OEWS (May 2025) publishes the national spread for the matching occupation: US$77,140 at the 10th percentile and US$135,140 at the 90th, a 1.8× gap.
The closest healthcare peer is registered nurse at US$97,600, so a physical therapist earns 5.7% less at the national median in the United States.
The closest official occupation is Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123). In May 2025 its national median was $102,760 a year.
That is 12% above the SalaryByRole median above. The sources define the job differently (an official occupation group versus a job title), so read them as a range rather than one figure.
The published 10th and 90th percentiles are $77,140 and $135,140, a 1.8× spread.
BLS estimates 267,330 jobs in this occupation nationwide.
51 states have a published figure. California is highest at $124,190 (+21% vs national) and North Dakota lowest at $85,330, a 1.46× gap.
12 of the 51 pay above the national median; the next highest after California are Alaska ($115,280) and New Jersey ($112,140).
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median annual pay Observed | $102,760 |
| Mean annual pay Observed | $105,280 |
| 10th percentile Observed | $77,140 |
| 25th percentile Observed | $86,160 |
| 75th percentile Observed | $121,160 |
| 90th percentile Observed | $135,140 |
| Median hourly pay Observed | $49.40 |
| Employment (jobs) Observed | 267,330 |
| # | State | Median | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $124,190 | +21% |
| 2 | Alaska | $115,280 | +12% |
| 3 | New Jersey | $112,140 | +9% |
| 4 | Nevada | $111,250 | +8% |
| 5 | Maryland | $106,890 | +4% |
| … | |||
| 49 | South Dakota | $92,660 | -10% |
| 50 | Montana | $91,450 | -11% |
| 51 | North Dakota | $85,330 | -17% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 (Public domain (U.S. Government work)). Figures are copied from the published table without adjustment; ranks and percentage differences are calculated by us. All states · Methodology
The United States is 2nd of 2 countries for this role once medians are converted at the same exchange rate (US$92,000). Australia pays 3% more (US$94,908 at today's rate).
At US$92,000, physical therapists earn about what the average American economy produces per head (US$90,000, World Bank 2025).
| # | Country | Median (USD) | In USD | vs United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Australia | US$94,900 | US$94,908 | +3% |
| 2 |  United States | US$92,000 | US$92,000 | — |
Using our take-home calculator for the United States, the US$92,000 median loses income tax US$11,410, Social Security US$5,704 and Medicare US$1,334, leaving US$73,552 a year or US$6,129 a month. Total deductions: 20% of gross.
At the published 10th percentile from BLS OEWS (May 2025) (US$77,140) deductions are 18%; at the 90th (US$135,140) they reach 23%, leaving US$8,636 a month.
Consumer prices in the United States rose 2.9% in 2024 (World Bank). Matching that on the US$92,000 median takes a raise of about US$2,668.
Unemployment was 4.2% of the labour force in 2025.
The United States has 14 public holidays in 2026 (Nager.Date); at the median, one working day is worth about US$354 before tax.
Figures are estimates, updated 2026-11-01. See our methodology for sources and limitations.