Physical Therapists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Physical Therapists in the United States earn a median salary of $102,760 per year — about $49 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 267K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +11%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of physical therapy involves manual manipulation, physical assistance, and real-time observation of human movement in a physical environment, which AI cannot replicate. While AI can assist with administrative tasks, medical history review, and generating personalized exercise plans, the high level of physical dexterity and interpersonal empathy required limits its overall exposure.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, ILBEST VALUE | $125,600 | Below avg (88.4) | $142,046 |
| Enid, OK * | $113,190 | Below avg (84.3) | $134,320 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $120,350 | Below avg (90.2) | $133,408 |
| Chico, CA | $134,970 | Average (101.2) | $133,374 |
| Vallejo, CA | $141,530 | Above avg (108.5) | $130,468 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $140,100 | Above avg (107.8) | $129,982 |
| Merced, CA | $126,000 | Average (98.3) | $128,212 |
| Longview, TX | $113,980 | Below avg (89.5) | $127,373 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $124,870 | Average (98.8) | $126,429 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $113,700 | Below avg (90.0) | $126,269 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $139,000 | Above avg (110.4) | $125,880 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $105,580 | Below avg (84.0) | $125,673 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $127,460 | Average (101.6) | $125,438 |
| Springfield, IL | $115,990 | Below avg (92.7) | $125,063 |
| Florence, SC | $108,160 | Below avg (86.8) | $124,646 |