How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make in Kansas in 2026?

A typical Physical Therapist in Kansas earns about $47.25 per hour ($98,290 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $8,191 a month and $1,890 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay for Physical Therapists in the state varies by city, work setting, and years of experience.

Kansas pay sits 4% below the national figure of $102,760 a year for Physical Therapists, placing the state 43rd out of 51 states and D.C. by pay. Roughly 2,660 Physical Therapists work across Kansas, compared with 267,330 nationwide. That places Kansas among the lower-paying states for this occupation, though pay still moved upward over the past decade.

Entry-level positions for Physical Therapists in Kansas typically offer around $34.75 an hour ($72,290 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Some newer graduates start closer to $37.83 an hour ($78,680 a year), depending on the employer and setting. Pay generally moves toward the state's typical $47.25 an hour within the first several years of practice. Hospital systems and outpatient clinics often set different starting rates within that range.

Experienced Physical Therapists in Kansas often earn upwards of $51.82 to $58.72 an hour ($107,780 to $122,130 a year) as they take on senior clinical or leadership roles. The top 10% of earners make over $122,130 a year. That leaves a spread of $49,840 between entry-level and top pay. Years of experience, work setting, and city location typically explain most of that difference.

Kansas Physical Therapist pay climbed from $79,610 in 2015 to $98,290 in 2025, a gain of $18,680. That amounts to a 23% rise over the decade, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). The increase was not steady each year; pay dipped slightly in 2021 and again in 2025 after peaking at $98,840 in 2024. Even with those fluctuations, the overall decade trend moved upward.

Nationally, Physical Therapist pay rose 22% over the same ten years, close to what Kansas recorded. That puts Kansas pay growth roughly in line with the rest of the country rather than lagging behind it. For someone starting a Physical Therapist career in Kansas now, pay has moved upward over the past decade, though nothing guarantees the same pace continues.

Pay for Physical Therapists runs highest in Lawrence, where the typical wage is $99,620 a year ($47.90 an hour), about 1% above the statewide figure. Topeka follows closely at $97,570 a year ($46.91 an hour). Wichita, the state's largest metro for this occupation, pays a typical $97,400 a year ($46.83 an hour). The differences between these cities are modest compared with the swings seen in some other states.

Pay is lowest in Manhattan, where Physical Therapists typically earn $97,110 a year ($46.69 an hour), a spread of $2,510 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities listed. Wichita employs the most Physical Therapists of any Kansas city, with 580 working there. These city figures reflect each metro area as a whole, not just the city center. Lower pay in a given area often tracks a lower cost of living rather than different work.

Among neighboring states, Colorado pays Physical Therapists the most, with a typical $102,030 a year, about 4% above Kansas. Nebraska pays the least among Kansas's neighbors, at $97,090 a year, roughly 1% below. Missouri ($99,310) and Oklahoma ($98,590) fall close to the Kansas figure. Physical therapy licenses can often be endorsed or transferred between neighboring states, which can simplify a move for work.

Physical Therapists in Kansas typically earn $98,290 a year ($47.25 an hour), a figure that has climbed 23% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level rates near $72,290 to over $122,130 among top earners. For specific requirements, check the Kansas state licensing or registry page; for local figures, see the city-specific pages for Lawrence, Topeka, Wichita, and Manhattan.