PayByState

Pennsylvania · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in Pennsylvania

Median $97,720 · Top 10% earn $116,970+ · Roughly 10,998 workers in Pennsylvania. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Pennsylvania median
$97,720
$46.98/hr
Top 10%
$116,970
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$66,500
Entry-level range
Real pay
$100,950
CoL-adjusted (RPP 96.8)

Pennsylvania pays close to the U.S. median for physical therapists — $97,720 versus the national median of $99,710. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 10,998 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania PT pay is moderate. UPMC and Penn Medicine drive above-state-median pay; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia outpatient ortho chains dominate.

Pennsylvania ranks #24 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Pennsylvania
#23 Virginia $98,710 +$990
#22 Maine $98,710 +$990
#21 Arizona $98,710 +$990
#24 Pennsylvania (this page) $97,720 —
#25 Utah $96,720 −$1,000
#26 Wisconsin $95,720 −$2,000
#27 Michigan $94,720 −$3,000
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania median of $97,720, payback periods are typically 2.7 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 Pennsylvania selected.

Physical Therapist salary in Pennsylvania — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in Pennsylvania?
The median physical therapist salary in Pennsylvania is $97,720 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $66,500; the top 10% earn $116,970 or more. About 10,998 people work in this role across the state.
How does Pennsylvania physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania's median of $97,720 is $1,990 below the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 96.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $100,950.
Is physical therapist a good career in Pennsylvania?
On the data: Pennsylvania employs roughly 10,998 physical therapists, with a median wage of $97,720 and the top decile clearing $116,970. 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 Pennsylvania?
At the Pennsylvania median of $97,720 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $46.98/hr. The top 10% earn around $56.24/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $31.97/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Pennsylvania-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 Pennsylvania's RPP is 96.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.