Physical Therapist Pay

Bryant vs Little Rock: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Bryant, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bryant, AR
$96,759
$46.52/hr
Little Rock, AR
$102,399
$49.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBryant, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$96,759$102,399
Hourly Rate$46.52$49.23
Entry Level (P10)$74,288$75,452
25th Percentile$80,837$81,609
75th Percentile$109,578$115,831
Top Earner (P90)$116,928$129,591
Total Employed41,040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bryant ($96,759) and Little Rock ($102,399) physical therapist salaries.BryantLittle RockMedian Salary$96,759$102,399Entry Level (P10)$74,288$75,452Top Earner (P90)$116,928$129,591US Median $105,288

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bryant.

The salary gap between Bryant and Little Rock is $5,640 (5.83%). Little Rock's median is -2.74% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bryant spans $42,640,Little Rock spans $54,139. Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Bryant
P10 (Entry)$74,288
P25$80,837
Median$96,759
P75$109,578
P90 (Top)$116,928
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$75,452
P25$81,609
Median$102,399
P75$115,831
P90 (Top)$129,591

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Little Rock ($114,586 effective) pays 2.91% more than Bryant ($111,345 effective).

Bryant
Nominal: $96,759
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $111,345
Little Rock
Nominal: $102,399
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $114,586

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bryant if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,399/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,591)
  • Larger job market (1,040 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,586)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Bryant grew 30.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.0% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Bryant, AR

+30.7%

$72,260 (2024) → $94,436 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+24.0%

$80,570 (2019) → $99,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Bryant or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median physical therapist salary at $102,399/year, compared to Bryant at $96,759/year — a difference of $5,640 (5.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bryant and Little Rock?

Bryant physical therapists earn $46.52/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $49.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bryant to Little Rock as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bryant and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bryant = $111,345, Little Rock = $114,586), job availability (4 vs 1,040 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Bryant vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $74,288 in Bryant and $75,452 in Little Rock. The Little Rock area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov