PayByState

Rhode Island · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in Rhode Island

Median $104,700 · Top 10% earn $129,170+ · Roughly 978 workers in Rhode Island. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Rhode Island median
$104,700
$50.34/hr
Top 10%
$129,170
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$71,250
Entry-level range
Real pay
$103,972
CoL-adjusted (RPP 100.7)

Rhode Island pays modestly above the U.S. median for physical therapists — $104,700 versus the national median of $99,710. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 978 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in Rhode Island

Rhode Island pays close to the U.S. median for physical therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Rhode Island ranks #15 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Rhode Island
#14 Colorado $105,690 +$990
#13 Minnesota $106,690 +$1,990
#12 Maryland $109,680 +$4,980
#15 Rhode Island (this page) $104,700 —
#17 Vermont $102,700 −$2,000
#18 Illinois $102,700 −$2,000
#19 Texas $101,700 −$3,000
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island median of $104,700, payback periods are typically 2.4 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 Rhode Island selected.

Physical Therapist salary in Rhode Island — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in Rhode Island?
The median physical therapist salary in Rhode Island is $104,700 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $71,250; the top 10% earn $129,170 or more. About 978 people work in this role across the state.
How does Rhode Island physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island's median of $104,700 is $4,990 above the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 100.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $103,972.
Is physical therapist a good career in Rhode Island?
On the data: Rhode Island employs roughly 978 physical therapists, with a median wage of $104,700 and the top decile clearing $129,170. 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 Rhode Island?
At the Rhode Island median of $104,700 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $50.34/hr. The top 10% earn around $62.10/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $34.25/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Rhode Island-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 Rhode Island's RPP is 100.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.