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2026 Salary Data — Philadelphia, PA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Philadelphia: $104K Median

Physical Therapists in Philadelphia, PA earn between $78K and $135K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Philadelphia, PA is $103,698 per year — +4% above the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $78,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $135,200 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Philadelphia earned approximately $15,712 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$103,698
+560.0% YoY · $8,642/mo
Entry
$81,120
0–2 years
Experienced
$119,600
5+ years
Top 10%
$135,200
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$104K
Las Vegas
$95K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$110K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$105K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in Philadelphia

Physical therapists help patients recover mobility and manage pain through evidence-based treatment plans, manual therapy, and exercise.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient evaluation
  • Treatment planning
  • Manual therapy
  • Exercise prescription
  • Documentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

In-demand certifications

DPTOCS (Orthopedic Specialist)SCS (Sports)NCS (Neurologic)

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Philadelphia or hiring remotely from this metro.

Hospital systems
Outpatient clinics
Sports medicine practices
Home health agencies
Schools

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physical Therapist listings.

Telehealth PTSports medicinePelvic healthManual therapy specialtyDirect access

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DPTmanual therapypatient evaluationorthopedicsports rehabilitationEMR (WebPT)evidence-based practice
Career Outlook
+14% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population.

Physical Therapist Salary Breakdown — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$78,000$103,698$135,200
Monthly$6,500$8,642$11,267
Weekly$1,500$1,994$2,600
Hourly$38$50$65

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$74,177.339
Per month$6,181
Biweekly paycheck$2,853
Effective tax rate28.5%

Tax Breakdown on $103,698

Gross salary$103,698
Federal income tax−$14,515.56
Pennsylvania state tax−$3,183.529
Philadelphia local tax−$3,888.675
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,932.897
Take-home (net)$74,177.339

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physical Therapist Salary by Experience — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$74,630
2–3 yr$81,120
4–6 yr$100,360
7–10 yr$119,600
11–15 yr$141,128
15+ yr$127,400

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,712
2026 median:$103,698
Change:+$87,986

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth PT and Sports medicine.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$95,136
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $94,271 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $120K–$135K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Philadelphia is $103,698 per year as of April 2026 — $8,642/month, $1,994/week, or about $50/hour. Salaries range from $78,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $135,200 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $103,698 a good Physical Therapist salary in Philadelphia?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $103,698 a real purchasing power of approximately $95,136 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $103,698 in Philadelphia?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $103,698 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $103,698 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $103,698 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $103,698 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $103,698 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $103,698 each ($207,396 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $103,698 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $103,698 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Philadelphia. Childcare costs in Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Philadelphia?
On a $103,698 Physical Therapist salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $74,177.339 per year ($6,181/month, $2,853 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,515.56, state $3,183.529, local $3,888.675, FICA $7,932.897. Effective tax rate: 28.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $103,698 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $95,136 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Philadelphia typically start at around $81,120 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $119,600 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $135,200+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $15,712 in 2025 to $103,698 in 2026 (+$87,986). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth PT and Sports medicine demand.
What's the job outlook for Physical Therapists in Philadelphia?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Physical Therapists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physical Therapists are: Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health, Manual therapy specialty, Direct access. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Philadelphia include: Hospital systems, Outpatient clinics, Sports medicine practices, Home health agencies, Schools. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physical Therapist salary in Philadelphia?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physical Therapist salary in Philadelphia?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DPT or OCS (Orthopedic Specialist)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physical Therapist in Philadelphia?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Philadelphia's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physical Therapist salary figures for Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Philadelphia

Occupational Therapist →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$105KHouston, TX$105KPhoenix, AZ$100KDallas, TX$105KFort Worth, TX$102KCharlotte, NC$102KNashville, TN$100KSacramento, CA$108K

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