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

A typical Physical Therapist in Pennsylvania earns about $48.74 per hour, or $101,380 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $8,448 a month and $1,950 a week, both figures calculated from the annual number. Pay varies by city, work setting, and years of experience, but this is the typical range for the state as a whole.

That figure sits about 1% below the national typical pay of $102,760 a year, ranking Pennsylvania 24th out of 51 states for Physical Therapist pay. The gap is small in practical terms. Close to 11,710 Physical Therapists work in Pennsylvania, a large enough workforce to make these figures a solid gauge of what to expect across the state.

Entry-level positions in Pennsylvania typically offer around $37.00 an hour, or about $76,960 a year, for Physical Therapists just starting out. That's the range most new graduates should expect in their first year or two on the job. Pay tends to move up from there fairly quickly, often reaching the state's typical figure of $101,380 within a few years of experience. Setting and location also play a role early on.

Experienced Physical Therapists in Pennsylvania often earn upwards of $116,650 a year, and the top 10% make over $127,060. That leaves a spread of $50,100 between entry-level and top-tier pay in the state. Setting matters here: hospitals, specialty clinics, and higher-cost cities tend to pay more than smaller outpatient practices in rural areas. Years of experience and additional certifications also help close that gap over a career.

Pennsylvania Physical Therapists have seen steady gains over the past decade. Pay rose from $81,590 in 2015 to $101,380 in 2025, a climb of $19,790. That amounts to a 24% increase over ten years, with most of the growth landing between 2019 and 2023. The trend held fairly steady, with only a small dip in 2024 before rebounding the following year.

Nationally, Physical Therapist pay rose 22% over the same ten years, so Pennsylvania's gain outpaced the country as a whole by a couple of points. Pay in the state has moved up consistently rather than in short bursts. For someone starting a career now, that history points to steady growth, though it makes no promises about the years ahead.

Pay runs highest in the Philadelphia metro area, where Physical Therapists typically earn $105,790 a year, about 4% above the statewide figure. Williamsport and Allentown follow closely, with typical pay of $105,340 and $104,350. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just the city center. Higher pay in these areas often tracks a higher cost of living.

Erie sits at the lower end, with typical pay of $94,830 a year, putting the spread between Pennsylvania's highest- and lowest-paying cities at $10,960. Philadelphia also holds the largest Physical Therapist workforce in the state, with 6,250 employed there. Smaller cities and rural areas generally pay less, which usually lines up with a lower cost of living in those places.

Pennsylvania's neighbors show a range of pay levels. New Jersey pays the most nearby, with typical pay of $112,140 a year, about 11% higher than Pennsylvania. Maryland follows at $106,890, roughly 5% above. West Virginia pays less, at $96,600, about 5% below Pennsylvania's figure. Physical Therapy licenses can often be endorsed or transferred between neighboring states, which makes crossing state lines for work a realistic option.

Physical Therapists in Pennsylvania typically earn $101,380 a year, a figure that has climbed 24% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, but the state's overall numbers track close to the national picture. Anyone considering this path in Pennsylvania should check the state licensing board for requirements and review city-specific pages for local pay figures before making a decision.