Physical Therapist Pay

Huntsville vs Montgomery: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Huntsville, AL
$102,214
$49.14/hr
Montgomery, AL
$98,730
$47.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALMontgomery, AL
Median Salary$102,214$98,730
Hourly Rate$49.14$47.47
Entry Level (P10)$75,923$75,605
25th Percentile$82,460$86,886
75th Percentile$118,720$115,667
Top Earner (P90)$134,417$129,038
Total Employed320170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($102,214) and Montgomery ($98,730) physical therapist salaries.HuntsvilleMontgomeryMedian Salary$102,214$98,730Entry Level (P10)$75,923$75,605Top Earner (P90)$134,417$129,038US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Huntsville and Montgomery is $3,484 (3.53%). 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 Huntsville spans $58,494,Montgomery spans $53,433. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$75,923
P25$82,460
Median$102,214
P75$118,720
P90 (Top)$134,417
Montgomery
P10 (Entry)$75,605
P25$86,886
Median$98,730
P75$115,667
P90 (Top)$129,038

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Montgomery ($110,089 effective) pays 0.24% more than Huntsville ($109,823 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $102,214
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $109,823
Montgomery
Nominal: $98,730
CoL Index: 89.682
Adjusted: $110,089

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

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

Choose Montgomery if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,089)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Huntsville grew 23.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.3% growth in Montgomery over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+23.5%

$80,760 (2019) → $99,760 (2025)

Montgomery, AL

+28.3%

$75,100 (2019) → $96,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Huntsville or Montgomery?

Huntsville has a higher median physical therapist salary at $102,214/year, compared to Montgomery at $98,730/year — a difference of $3,484 (3.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Montgomery?

Huntsville physical therapists earn $49.14/hr while Montgomery hygienists earn $47.47/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Montgomery. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $109,823, Montgomery = $110,089), job availability (320 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $75,923 in Huntsville and $75,605 in Montgomery. The Huntsville area offers higher starting salaries.
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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