If you're considering a career in physical therapy, one of the first questions you may have is: How much do physical therapists make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for physical therapists was $102,760 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $77,140, while the highest 10% earned more than $135,140.
Salary can vary based on work setting, location, experience, and specialization. Physical therapists also have several opportunities to grow their careers, from developing clinical expertise and taking on leadership roles to exploring practice ownership.
Here's what to know about physical therapist salaries, career opportunities, and earning potential in 2026.
The latest BLS data puts the median annual wage for physical therapists at $102,760. The median represents the midpoint of the profession's wage distribution, meaning half of physical therapists earned more and half earned less.
The BLS reports the following wage range:
These numbers provide a useful benchmark for employed physical therapists, but individual compensation can vary.
Benefits may also contribute to a PT's overall compensation. Depending on the employer, a physical therapist may receive health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, bonuses, or other benefits in addition to salary.
There isn't one salary that applies to every physical therapist. Where you work, how much experience you have, and the type of care you provide can all influence compensation.
Physical therapists work across a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, home healthcare, and nursing facilities.
According to the BLS, median annual wages in May 2025 included:
Work setting can affect more than salary. Schedule, patient population, benefits, professional development, and workplace environment may also influence which opportunity is the right fit.
Geography can also play a role in compensation. Demand for physical therapists, local competition, healthcare needs, and cost of living can vary significantly from one market to another.
When comparing opportunities, consider the overall financial and professional picture, rather than focusing on salary alone.
Experience can lead to greater responsibility and new career opportunities. Some physical therapists eventually move into roles such as clinical director, department manager, or other leadership positions.
Physical therapists can also develop expertise in specific areas of care, including:
Specialization can allow PTs to work with specific patient populations while building expertise around their professional interests.
The outlook for physical therapists remains strong.
The BLS projects 12% employment growth for physical therapists from 2025 to 2035, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Approximately 13,400 openings are projected each year, on average, during that period.
Several factors contribute to continued demand for physical therapy services:
For people entering the profession, this projected growth can provide a strong foundation for a long-term career.
A physical therapy career doesn't have to follow a single path.
Some PTs choose to focus on patient care throughout their careers. Others take on leadership responsibilities, develop specialized expertise, or eventually explore entrepreneurship.
Potential career paths include:
Career growth doesn't always mean moving away from patient care. The right direction depends on your professional interests, financial goals, and how much responsibility you want to take on.
Practice ownership creates a different financial structure from traditional employment.
An employed PT generally receives a salary or wages from an employer. A practice owner may receive compensation for their work and, depending on the financial performance of the business, may also benefit from profits.
However, there is no standard income for a physical therapy practice owner.
Financial performance can depend on factors such as:
Revenue and profit are also different measures. A practice's financial results depend on how effectively it manages both revenue and expenses.
For that reason, prospective owners should evaluate the financial performance of a specific opportunity rather than relying on general income estimates.
Owning a practice means taking on responsibilities beyond patient care.
Owners may be responsible for:
Clinical expertise and business management are different skill sets. PTs interested in ownership should consider where they have experience and where they may benefit from additional training or support.
For some, building an independent practice is the right choice. Others may prefer a model that provides an established framework for the business side of ownership.
Starting an independent practice means developing your brand, business systems, marketing strategy, operational processes, and growth plan from the ground up.
A franchise offers another approach. Franchisees can enter an established business model with access to training, systems, and ongoing support.
Depending on the franchise, resources may include:
For PTs who are confident in patient care but less familiar with running a business, this type of framework can provide resources for navigating the non-clinical side of ownership.
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers combine physical therapy with balance and vestibular services, fall prevention, medically based wellness, and related care.
The FYZICAL franchise model provides resources in areas including:
FYZICAL also has its proprietary Balance Paradigm, which provides a specialized approach to balance and vestibular care alongside traditional physical therapy.
For prospective owners, these resources are designed to provide a framework for operating a physical therapy business while giving franchisees access to ongoing support.
FYZICAL does not guarantee a particular level of income or financial performance. Anyone considering a franchise investment should review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), including Item 19 if applicable, and conduct independent financial and legal due diligence.
If you're considering taking your physical therapy career into practice ownership, it's important to understand both the opportunity and the responsibilities that come with running a business. FYZICAL provides an established franchise model, training, marketing resources, and ongoing support for entrepreneurs interested in building a physical therapy business.
Ready to learn more? Check your territory today to see if a FYZICAL franchise opportunity may be available in your market.
The median annual wage for physical therapists was $102,760 in May 2025, according to the BLS. The lowest 10% earned less than $77,140, while the highest 10% earned more than $135,140.
The median annual wage of $102,760 is approximately $49.40 per hour based on a standard 40-hour workweek. Actual hourly compensation varies based on experience, location, work setting, and employment arrangement.
Work setting, location, experience, and specialization can all influence a physical therapist's compensation. Salaries can also vary based on the type of employer and responsibilities of the position.
Yes, physical therapy has a strong employment outlook, with the BLS projecting 12% employment growth from 2025 to 2035. This growth is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Practice ownership can provide a different income structure because owners may receive compensation for their work and potentially benefit from business profits. Actual financial results vary based on factors such as revenue, expenses, staffing, reimbursement, and management.
In some business models, a non-clinical owner can manage the business while licensed professionals provide patient care. Requirements vary by state and business structure, so prospective owners should review applicable regulations.
A franchise can provide access to an established business model, training, marketing resources, operational systems, and ongoing support. This can offer an alternative to developing every aspect of a practice independently.
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