Physical Therapist Pay

Mobile vs Vestavia Hills: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Mobile, AL and Vestavia Hills, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mobile, AL
$96,599
$46.45/hr
Vestavia Hills, AL
$95,394
$45.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALVestavia Hills, AL
Median Salary$96,599$95,394
Hourly Rate$46.45$45.86
Entry Level (P10)$78,034$73,631
25th Percentile$85,216$80,342
75th Percentile$105,257$111,538
Top Earner (P90)$127,747$122,259
Total Employed2408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($96,599) and Vestavia Hills ($95,394) physical therapist salaries.MobileVestavia HillsMedian Salary$96,599$95,394Entry Level (P10)$78,034$73,631Top Earner (P90)$127,747$122,259US Median $105,288

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Vestavia Hills.

The salary gap between Mobile and Vestavia Hills is $1,205 (1.26%). Mobile's median is -8.25% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mobile spans $49,713,Vestavia Hills spans $48,628. Mobile has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mobile
P10 (Entry)$78,034
P25$85,216
Median$96,599
P75$105,257
P90 (Top)$127,747
Vestavia Hills
P10 (Entry)$73,631
P25$80,342
Median$95,394
P75$111,538
P90 (Top)$122,259

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($109,649 effective) pays 1.04% more than Vestavia Hills ($108,526 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $96,599
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $109,649
Vestavia Hills
Nominal: $95,394
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $108,526

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,599/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($127,747)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,649)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Vestavia Hills if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Mobile grew 3.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.9% growth in Vestavia Hills over the same period.

Mobile, AL

+3.2%

$91,340 (2019) → $94,280 (2025)

Vestavia Hills, AL

+19.9%

$77,636 (2024) → $93,104 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Mobile or Vestavia Hills?

Mobile has a higher median physical therapist salary at $96,599/year, compared to Vestavia Hills at $95,394/year — a difference of $1,205 (1.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Vestavia Hills?

Mobile physical therapists earn $46.45/hr while Vestavia Hills hygienists earn $45.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mobile to Vestavia Hills as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Vestavia Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $109,649, Vestavia Hills = $108,526), job availability (240 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Mobile vs Vestavia Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $78,034 in Mobile and $73,631 in Vestavia Hills. The Mobile 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