PayByState

Louisiana · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in Louisiana

Median $87,740 · Top 10% earn $100,420+ · Roughly 3,422 workers in Louisiana. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Louisiana median
$87,740
$42.18/hr
Top 10%
$100,420
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$59,710
Entry-level range
Real pay
$97,058
CoL-adjusted (RPP 90.4)

Louisiana pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for physical therapists — $87,740 versus the national median of $99,710. Louisiana's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 3,422 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in Louisiana

Louisiana sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. physical therapist pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

Louisiana ranks #47 of 50 states

Where Louisiana sits in the national distribution for physical therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Louisiana
#46 Kentucky $88,740 +$1,000
#45 Oklahoma $88,740 +$1,000
#44 South Dakota $88,740 +$1,000
#47 Louisiana (this page) $87,740 —
#48 Alabama $85,750 −$1,990
#49 West Virginia $85,750 −$1,990
#50 Arkansas $84,750 −$2,990
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Louisiana

The typical path is a doctor of physical therapy (dpt) + state license, taking about 36 months. Tuition ranges from $50,000 (community college) to $175,000 (private accelerated). On the Louisiana median of $87,740, payback periods are typically 3.1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Physical Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Louisiana selected.

Physical Therapist salary in Louisiana — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in Louisiana?
The median physical therapist salary in Louisiana is $87,740 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $59,710; the top 10% earn $100,420 or more. About 3,422 people work in this role across the state.
How does Louisiana physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana's median of $87,740 is $11,970 below the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for Louisiana's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 90.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $97,058.
Is physical therapist a good career in Louisiana?
On the data: Louisiana employs roughly 3,422 physical therapists, with a median wage of $87,740 and the top decile clearing $100,420. The role is projected to grow +15% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for physical therapists in Louisiana?
At the Louisiana median of $87,740 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $42.18/hr. The top 10% earn around $48.28/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $28.71/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Louisiana-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1123: Physical Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Louisiana's RPP is 90.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.