Physical Therapist Pay

St. Louis vs Webster Groves: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between St. Louis, MO and Webster Groves, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

St. Louis, MO
$103,075
$49.56/hr
Webster Groves, MO
$98,138
$47.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOWebster Groves, MO
Median Salary$103,075$98,138
Hourly Rate$49.56$47.18
Entry Level (P10)$79,294$78,206
25th Percentile$83,925$83,991
75th Percentile$113,229$111,048
Top Earner (P90)$127,245$118,329
Total Employed2,4806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($103,075) and Webster Groves ($98,138) physical therapist salaries.St. LouisWebster GrovesMedian Salary$103,075$98,138Entry Level (P10)$79,294$78,206Top Earner (P90)$127,245$118,329US Median $105,288

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Webster Groves.

The salary gap between St. Louis and Webster Groves is $4,937 (5.03%). St. Louis's median is -2.10% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $47,951,Webster Groves spans $40,123. St. Louis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$79,294
P25$83,925
Median$103,075
P75$113,229
P90 (Top)$127,245
Webster Groves
P10 (Entry)$78,206
P25$83,991
Median$98,138
P75$111,048
P90 (Top)$118,329

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Webster Groves ($109,529 effective) pays 1.04% more than St. Louis ($108,400 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $103,075
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $108,400
Webster Groves
Nominal: $98,138
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $109,529

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,075/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($127,245)
  • Larger job market (2,480 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Webster Groves if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,529)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in St. Louis grew 21.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.5% growth in Webster Groves over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+21.6%

$82,730 (2019) → $100,600 (2025)

Webster Groves, MO

+26.5%

$75,727 (2024) → $95,782 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: St. Louis or Webster Groves?

St. Louis has a higher median physical therapist salary at $103,075/year, compared to Webster Groves at $98,138/year — a difference of $4,937 (5.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Louis and Webster Groves?

St. Louis physical therapists earn $49.56/hr while Webster Groves hygienists earn $47.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Louis to Webster Groves as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Webster Groves. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $108,400, Webster Groves = $109,529), job availability (2,480 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in St. Louis vs Webster Groves?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $79,294 in St. Louis and $78,206 in Webster Groves. The St. Louis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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