Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Pearl, MS: $68,561 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Pearl, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,561 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pearl's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,001 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($89,377) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates venturing into the physical therapy field in Pearl, Mississippi, can expect an entry-level physical therapist salary around $68,561 in 2026. This starting figure presents a noticeable gap from the city's median salary of $89,377, indicating that early-career professionals may face some financial constraints. Over their first few years, new physical therapists in Pearl have the potential for salary growth, with figures trending upward from first-year wages through the P25 of $75,239 and beyond. Given the projected annual growth rate of 2.46%, Pearl remains a relatively favorable market for new graduates, offering opportunities for career advancement and specialization in the field.
About the Pearl Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pearl
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl
Entry-level physical therapists in Pearl, MS typically start between $68,561 and $75,239 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $42,769 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $89,377 — 15.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Mississippi of $80,000 represents just 116.68% of the starting physical therapist pay ($68,561/year) in Pearl. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Pearl
- 1Research the Pearl market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $68,561 to $75,239, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pearl, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Pearl for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pearl's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Pearl is $42,769 ( 62.38%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,561, experienced hygienists can earn up to $111,330.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,886
2025 BLS Actual
$66,915
2026 Current Est.
$68,561
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Pearl (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,886 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,109 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,721 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,908 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,682 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,915 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,561 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,248 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Pearl, MS grew 24.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,886 in 2019 to $66,915 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,248. New graduates entering the Pearl job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Pearl
In Pearl, employers that actively recruit entry-level physical therapists include outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI, Select Medical, and Athletico, which commonly hire new DPT graduates. These facilities typically offer structured productivity ramps and bonuses, but salary expectations may initially fall behind those provided by hospital systems that offer residency programs leading to board certification. To enhance starting pay in Mississippi, new grads are advised to pursue a DPT degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the NPTE national exam, and obtain a state PT license. Those considering additional credentials could specialize further through residency or fellowship programs for board certification in areas such as Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS). In the first three years, early-career professionals should look to gradually increase their earnings as they grow in experience and skills, adapting to the industry's evolving reimbursement pressures while assessing their productivity within varied practice settings.
More salary data for Pearl, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Pearl. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pearl is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov