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

A typical Physical Therapist in Virginia earns about $48.78 per hour ($101,450 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, monthly pay comes to about $8,454, and weekly pay comes to about $1,951. These figures reflect typical pay for the profession across the state, before accounting for experience or location.

Virginia's typical pay runs about 1% below the national figure of $102,760, a small gap given how close the two numbers are. The state ranks 23rd among all 51 states and the District of Columbia for Physical Therapist pay. Virginia employs about 7,630 Physical Therapists, compared with 267,330 nationwide. That workforce size puts Virginia's pay squarely in the middle of the national range rather than at either extreme.

Entry-level Physical Therapists in Virginia typically start around $36.40 an hour, or about $75,720 a year. Pay generally moves toward the state's typical figure of $101,450 within the first several years on the job. New graduates entering settings such as outpatient clinics or hospitals tend to start near this lower range. Pay tends to climb steadily as clinical experience and specialization build.

Experienced Physical Therapists in Virginia often earn upwards of $57.05 an hour ($118,670 a year). The top 10% of earners make over $63.88 an hour, or $132,860 a year. That leaves a spread of $57,140 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual lands within that range.

Virginia's typical Physical Therapist pay rose from $84,300 in 2015 to $101,450 in 2025, a gain of $17,150. That amounts to a 20% increase over the decade. The rise was not perfectly steady; pay dipped slightly in 2017 and again in 2023 before continuing upward. Overall, the trend line points consistently higher across the ten-year span.

Nationally, Physical Therapist pay climbed 22% over the same decade, a slightly faster pace than Virginia's rise. The gap between the two growth rates is small enough that it does not change Virginia's overall standing. For someone starting a Physical Therapist career in Virginia now, the decade of steady increases shows pay has moved upward consistently, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in Arlington, where Physical Therapists typically earn $102,980 a year, about 2% above the statewide figure. This figure reflects the greater Arlington metro area rather than the city alone. Staunton and Stuarts Draft follow closely behind, both posting typical pay near $102,840. Richmond, the state capital, also pays above the state figure at $102,700.

Bristol pays the least among Virginia's tracked cities, with typical pay of $98,690 a year. That leaves a spread of $4,290 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities, a narrow range for the state. Arlington also has the largest Physical Therapist workforce among Virginia cities, with 4,540 employed there. Cities with higher pay also tend to carry a higher cost of living, which can offset some of the difference in take-home value.

Virginia's neighbors show a mixed picture. Maryland pays about 5% more, with typical pay of $106,890 a year, while West Virginia pays about 5% less, at $96,600. North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky all land within a couple of percentage points of Virginia's figure. Physical Therapist licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Physical Therapists in Virginia typically earn $101,450 a year, or $48.78 an hour, a figure that has grown 20% over the past decade. Pay varies somewhat by city and experience level, but the overall trend has been upward. Readers considering the profession in Virginia can check the state licensing board for requirements and review individual city pages for local pay figures before choosing where to practice.