PayByState

Massachusetts · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in Massachusetts

Median $117,660 · Top 10% earn $153,190+ · Roughly 6,110 workers in Massachusetts. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Massachusetts median
$117,660
$56.57/hr
Top 10%
$153,190
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$80,070
Entry-level range
Real pay
$106,383
CoL-adjusted (RPP 110.6)

Massachusetts pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for physical therapists — $117,660 versus the national median of $99,710. Even after adjusting for Massachusetts's high cost of living, the real pay still leads the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 6,110 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in Massachusetts

Massachusetts PT pay benefits from dense academic medical center concentration. Boston-area outpatient ortho is competitive; productivity quotas are typical.

Top-paying metros in Massachusetts

Massachusetts-area metropolitan areas with the highest physical therapist medians.

Massachusetts metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $95,600

Massachusetts ranks #6 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Massachusetts
#4 Nevada $119,650 +$1,990
#3 New York $119,650 +$1,990
#2 District of Columbia $120,650 +$2,990
#6 Massachusetts (this page) $117,660 —
#8 New Jersey $113,670 −$3,990
#9 Oregon $113,670 −$3,990
#10 Hawaii $112,670 −$4,990
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts median of $117,660, payback periods are typically 2 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 Massachusetts selected.

Physical Therapist salary in Massachusetts — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in Massachusetts?
The median physical therapist salary in Massachusetts is $117,660 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $80,070; the top 10% earn $153,190 or more. About 6,110 people work in this role across the state.
How does Massachusetts physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts's median of $117,660 is $17,950 above the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 110.6), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $106,383.
Where does Massachusetts pay physical therapists the most?
Top-paying metros in Massachusetts include Boston-Cambridge-Newton at $95,600. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is physical therapist a good career in Massachusetts?
On the data: Massachusetts employs roughly 6,110 physical therapists, with a median wage of $117,660 and the top decile clearing $153,190. 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 Massachusetts?
At the Massachusetts median of $117,660 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $56.57/hr. The top 10% earn around $73.65/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $38.50/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Massachusetts-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 Massachusetts's RPP is 110.6 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.