How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make in Georgia in 2026?
Typical pay for Physical Therapists in Georgia, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Georgia · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical Physical Therapist in Georgia earns about $49.38 per hour, or $102,700 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $8,558 a month or $1,975 a week, calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by city, setting, and experience, though these figures reflect the typical wage across the state.
That pay is nearly identical to the national typical wage of $102,760 a year, a difference close enough to call even. Georgia ranks 15th out of 51 states and areas tracked for this occupation. About 6,780 Physical Therapists work across the state.
Physical Therapist pay in Georgia at a glance
- Physical Therapists in Georgia typically earn $102,700 a year ($49.38 an hour), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- That's essentially even with the national typical pay of $102,760, ranking Georgia 15th out of 51 states and areas.
- Dalton pays the most in the state, with Physical Therapists there typically earning $109,710 a year.
- Entry-level positions typically start around $78,580 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $130,630.
- Typical pay for Physical Therapists in Georgia has climbed 27% over the past decade, from $80,970 in 2015 to $102,700 in 2025.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Physical Therapist make in Georgia?
Physical Therapist pay by career stage in Georgia
| Career stage | Georgia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $78,580$37.78 an hour | $77,140$37.09 an hour |
| First years | $83,770$40.28 an hour | $86,160$41.42 an hour |
| Typical Physical Therapist | $102,700$49.38 an hour | $102,760$49.40 an hour |
| Experienced | $120,610$57.99 an hour | $121,160$58.25 an hour |
| Top 10% | $130,630$62.81 an hour | $135,140$64.97 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
Physical Therapist pay by experience level in Georgia
Entry-level positions in Georgia typically offer around $37.78 an hour, or about $78,580 a year. Pay in this range often applies to those just starting out in the profession. Within a few years, pay tends to move up toward the state's typical wage of $102,700 a year as experience builds.
Experienced Physical Therapists in Georgia often earn upwards of $57.99 an hour, or around $120,610 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $130,630 a year, a spread of $52,050 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual lands within that range.
Physical Therapist pay growth in Georgia
Typical (median) annual wage for Physical Therapists in Georgia · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Typical pay for Physical Therapists in Georgia has risen from $80,970 in 2015 to $102,700 in 2025. That's a gain of $21,730, or 27%, over the decade. The increase has been fairly steady year over year, with the steepest jump occurring between 2020 and 2021.
Nationally, typical pay for Physical Therapists rose 22% over the same decade, a bit slower than Georgia's pace. For someone starting out now, this history shows pay in the field has moved up over time, though it makes no promises about future increases.
Physical Therapist salary by city in Georgia
Pay runs highest in Dalton, where Physical Therapists typically earn $109,710 a year, about 7% above the state figure. Macon and Bibb County follow at $104,500 a year, and the Rome area pays $103,710. These figures cover each city's full metro area.
Pay is lowest in Warner Robins, at $85,590 a year, a spread of $24,120 between the state's highest- and lowest-paying cities. The Atlanta metro area, including Sandy Springs and Roswell, has the largest workforce of Physical Therapists at 4,250. Higher pay in cities like Dalton and Atlanta typically tracks a higher cost of living, and lower pay in places like Warner Robins usually reflects lower living costs.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Georgia | Physical Therapists employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalton | $109,710 | $52.75 | +7% | 50 |
| 2 | Macon metro incl. Bibb County | $104,500 | $50.24 | +2% | 130 |
| 3 | Rome | $103,710 | $49.86 | +1% | 130 |
| 4 | Atlanta metro incl. Sandy Springs · Roswell | $103,440 | $49.73 | +1% | 4,250 |
| 5 | Brunswick metro incl. St. Simons | $103,260 | $49.65 | +1% | 100 |
| 6 | Athens metro incl. Clarke County | $101,570 | $48.83 | -1% | 150 |
| 7 | Savannah | $100,920 | $48.52 | -2% | 210 |
| 8 | Columbus | $98,300 | $47.26 | -4% | 200 |
| 9 | Albany | $98,190 | $47.21 | -4% | 60 |
| 10 | Augusta metro incl. Richmond County | $97,260 | $46.76 | -5% | 330 |
| 11 | Valdosta | $97,050 | $46.66 | -6% | 70 |
| 12 | Gainesville | $92,030 | $44.25 | -10% | 90 |
| 13 | Warner Robins | $85,590 | $41.15 | -17% | 90 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Georgia typical pay $102,700
How Georgia compares with nearby states
Georgia's typical pay of $102,700 a year runs close to its neighbors. South Carolina pays $101,330, about 1% less, while Alabama pays $97,290, about 5% less than Georgia. Florida and Tennessee fall in between, at $101,040 and $100,140. North Carolina pays $99,910, roughly 3% below Georgia. Physical therapy licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, easing a move across state lines.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $102,700 | baseline |
| South Carolina | $101,330 | -1% |
| Florida | $101,040 | -2% |
| Tennessee | $100,140 | -2% |
| North Carolina | $99,910 | -3% |
| Alabama | $97,290 | -5% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical Physical Therapist pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Georgia a good state for Physical Therapists?
Physical Therapists in Georgia earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $102,700 a year, right at the national figure, ranking 15th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Georgia, about 1.4 are Physical Therapist positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.7. That makes Physical Therapists a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates. Overall, Georgia is a middle-of-the-table state for Physical Therapist pay, close to the national figure.
Summary
Physical Therapists in Georgia typically earn $102,700 a year, pay that has climbed 27% over the past decade and now sits nearly even with the national figure. Entry-level pay starts lower and the top 10% earn considerably more, with pay varying somewhat by city. Readers considering this path in Georgia can check the state licensing board for requirements and review individual city pages for local pay figures.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Physical Therapist make in Georgia?
- Physical Therapists in Georgia typically earn **$102,700 a year**, or about $49.38 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,558 a month or $1,975 a week, with pay varying by city, setting, and experience level.
- How much does a Physical Therapist make an hour in Georgia?
- Physical Therapists in Georgia typically earn **$49.38 an hour**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Hourly pay ranges from about $37.78 for entry-level positions up to $62.81 or more for the top 10% of earners.
- What is the starting pay for a Physical Therapist in Georgia?
- Entry-level Physical Therapists in Georgia typically start around **$78,580 a year**, or about $37.78 an hour. Pay in this range usually applies to those newer to the field, and it tends to move up toward the state's typical wage of $102,700 a year within a few years.
- Which city in Georgia pays Physical Therapists the most?
- **Dalton** pays Physical Therapists the most in Georgia, with typical pay of $109,710 a year, about 7% above the state figure. Macon, Bibb County, and Rome also pay above the state typical wage. Pay is lowest in Warner Robins, at $85,590 a year.
- Is Physical Therapist pay in Georgia higher than the national rate?
- Georgia's typical pay of $102,700 a year is nearly identical to the national figure of $102,760, a difference too small to call meaningfully higher or lower. Georgia ranks **15th** out of 51 states and areas tracked for Physical Therapist pay.