2026 Salary — Louisiana
Updated April 29, 2026
Physical Therapist Salary in Louisiana: $90K Median
Physical Therapists in Louisiana earn between $68K and $117K per year.
That's -10% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Physical Therapist salary in Louisiana is $89,739 per year — -10% below the US national median of $99,710. Salaries range from $67,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $117,000 (90th percentile). Louisiana's cost-of-living index is 92. State income tax applies.
Median
$89,739
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$70,200
Experienced
$103,500
Top 10%
$117,000
About Physical Therapists in Louisiana
Physical therapists help patients recover mobility and manage pain through evidence-based treatment plans, manual therapy, and exercise.
Hot 2026 Skills
Telehealth PTSports medicinePelvic healthManual therapy specialtyDirect access
ATS Keywords
DPTmanual therapypatient evaluationorthopedicsports rehabilitationEMR (WebPT)evidence-based practice
Physical Therapist Salary in Louisiana Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $91,733 |
How to Negotiate Your Physical Therapist Salary in Louisiana
Walk-away anchor: $81,581.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Physical Therapist Salary FAQ — Louisiana
What is the average Physical Therapist salary in Louisiana?
The average Physical Therapist salary in Louisiana is $89,739 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $67,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $117,000 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Physical Therapist pay in Louisiana compare to the US average?
Physical Therapists in Louisiana earn approximately 10% less than the US national median ($99,710 nationally vs $89,739 in Louisiana). Louisiana's cost-of-living index of 92 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Physical Therapist salaries in Louisiana increase in 2026?
Yes — Physical Therapist salaries in Louisiana grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,597 in 2025 to $89,739 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth PT and Sports medicine demand.
Which Louisiana cities pay Physical Therapists the most?
Top-paying Louisiana metros for Physical Therapists: New Orleans ($92K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Physical Therapists in Louisiana?
PT employment projected to grow 14% — among fastest-growing health professions due to aging population. Louisiana's top industries include Energy/Petrochemicals, Tourism, Logistics (Port), and the state's unemployment rate is 4.4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does Louisiana have state income tax?
Yes, Louisiana has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $89,739, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Physical Therapists in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth PT, Sports medicine, Pelvic health, Manual therapy specialty, Direct access. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Louisiana employers.
How can I increase my Physical Therapist salary in Louisiana?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Louisiana: $81,581.
Methodology
Louisiana Physical Therapist salary is the BLS national median ($99,710) adjusted by Louisiana's state multiplier (0.90×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Physical Therapist Salary in Other States
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