Physical Therapist Pay

Florence vs Huntsville: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Florence, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florence, AL
$86,835
$41.74/hr
Huntsville, AL
$102,214
$49.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$86,835$102,214
Hourly Rate$41.74$49.14
Entry Level (P10)$76,169$75,923
25th Percentile$81,763$82,460
75th Percentile$99,089$118,720
Top Earner (P90)$129,305$134,417
Total Employed70320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($86,835) and Huntsville ($102,214) physical therapist salaries.FlorenceHuntsvilleMedian Salary$86,835$102,214Entry Level (P10)$76,169$75,923Top Earner (P90)$129,305$134,417US Median $105,288

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Florence and Huntsville is $15,379 (17.71%). Huntsville's median is -2.92% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $53,136,Huntsville spans $58,494. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$76,169
P25$81,763
Median$86,835
P75$99,089
P90 (Top)$129,305
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$75,923
P25$82,460
Median$102,214
P75$118,720
P90 (Top)$134,417

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($109,823 effective) pays 7.27% more than Florence ($102,379 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $86,835
CoL Index: 84.817
Adjusted: $102,379
Huntsville
Nominal: $102,214
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $109,823

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,214/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,417)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,823)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Florence grew -8.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.5% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Florence, AL

+-8.2%

$92,370 (2019) → $84,750 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+23.5%

$80,760 (2019) → $99,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Florence or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median physical therapist salary at $102,214/year, compared to Florence at $86,835/year — a difference of $15,379 (17.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Huntsville?

Florence physical therapists earn $41.74/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $49.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Huntsville as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $102,379, Huntsville = $109,823), job availability (70 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Florence vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $76,169 in Florence and $75,923 in Huntsville. The Florence 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