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2026 Salary Data — Virginia Beach, VA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physical Therapist Salary in Virginia Beach: $98K Median

Physical Therapists in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $74K and $127K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $99,710 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $97,716 per year — -2% below the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $73,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $127,400 (90th percentile). Physical Therapists in Virginia Beach earned approximately $14,805 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$97,716
+560.0% YoY · $8,143/mo
Entry
$76,440
0–2 years
Experienced
$112,700
5+ years
Top 10%
$127,400
Senior/lead
Physical Therapist Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$98K
Charlotte
$102K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$102K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$98K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

Free ATS scan · Virginia Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physical Therapists in Virginia Beach

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)

Virginia Beach Job Market

Military and tourism hub with strong defense industry.

Population
459K
Cost of Living
100
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Virginia Beach

Military/NavalTourismDefenseHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Physical Therapists

Major employers active in Virginia Beach 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 — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$73,500$97,716$127,400
Monthly$6,125$8,143$10,617
Weekly$1,413$1,879$2,450
Hourly$35$47$61

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,710) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physical Therapist Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$72,155.406
Per month$6,013
Biweekly paycheck$2,775
Effective tax rate26.2%

Tax Breakdown on $97,716

Gross salary$97,716
Federal income tax−$13,199.52
Virginia state tax−$4,885.8
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,475.274
Take-home (net)$72,155.406

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 — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Physical Therapists in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$70,325
2–3 yr$76,440
4–6 yr$94,570
7–10 yr$112,700
11–15 yr$132,986
15+ yr$120,050

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Virginia Beach's 0.98× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,805
2026 median:$97,716
Change:+$82,911

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
$97,716
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 Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $88,833 (offers below this are below market for Virginia Beach).

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 $113K–$127K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific Telehealth PT/Sports medicine expertise.

Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Virginia Beach is $97,716 per year as of April 2026 — $8,143/month, $1,879/week, or about $47/hour. Salaries range from $73,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $127,400 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $97,716 a good Physical Therapist salary in Virginia Beach?
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. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $97,716 a real purchasing power of approximately $97,716 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 $97,716 in Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach specifically (median home price $360,000), a $97,716 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $97,716 enough for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A single adult in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $97,716 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $97,716 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $97,716 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $97,716 each ($195,432 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $97,716 enough for a family of 4 in Virginia Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $97,716 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 Virginia Beach. Childcare costs in Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physical Therapist in Virginia Beach?
On a $97,716 Physical Therapist salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $72,155.406 per year ($6,013/month, $2,775 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,199.52, state $4,885.8, FICA $7,475.274. Effective tax rate: 26.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physical Therapists in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($99,710 nationally vs $97,716 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $97,716 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physical Therapist earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Physical Therapists in Virginia Beach typically start at around $76,440 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physical Therapists earn $112,700 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $127,400+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,805 in 2025 to $97,716 in 2026 (+$82,911). 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 Virginia Beach?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military/Naval, Tourism, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
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 Virginia Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Physical Therapists in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Physical Therapists in or near Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is the typical path. However, Virginia Beach'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 Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,710) by Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× — 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 Virginia Beach

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

Physical Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$100KSan Antonio, TX$93KFort Worth, TX$102KColumbus, OH$97KCharlotte, NC$102KIndianapolis, IN$93KDetroit, MI$93KNashville, TN$100K

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