Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Akron, OH: $81,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Akron, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,568 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Akron's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,360 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($105,226) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapy field in Akron, OH, can expect a starting salary around $81,568 in 2026. This figure is considerably lower than the city's median annual salary for physical therapists, which stands at $105,226. The gap highlights the common early-career reality where entry-level positions typically offer lower compensation. However, within the first three to five years, new grads can see gradual salary increases, as they transition from the tenth percentile to the twenty-fifth percentile, earning approximately $85,390. With a growth trajectory of 2.46% annually, Akron represents a decent market for new physical therapists, especially as the demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise.
Career Earnings Timeline in Akron
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 Akron
Entry-level physical therapists in Akron, OH typically start between $81,568 and $85,390 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,560 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $105,226 — 0.06% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Ohio of $115,000 represents just 140.99% of the starting physical therapist pay ($81,568/year) in Akron. 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 Akron
- 1Research the Akron market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $81,568 to $85,390, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Akron, 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 Akron for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Akron'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 Akron is $44,560 ( 54.63%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,568, experienced hygienists can earn up to $126,128.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,840
2025 BLS Actual
$79,610
2026 Current Est.
$81,568
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,575 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Akron, OH grew 17.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,840 in 2019 to $79,610 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,575. New graduates entering the Akron job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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 Akron
Several employers in Akron eagerly hire new graduates, particularly outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI and Select Medical, which often feature structured productivity ramps to help recent DPT grads adjust to practice expectations. On the other hand, local hospital systems might present opportunities through residency programs that guide new therapists toward board certification. Additionally, skilled nursing facilities like Genesis and RehabCare tend to offer more attractive starting pay. To enhance their earning potential, new therapists should focus on obtaining their state PT license and prepare for the NPTE national exam, as credentials from a CAPTE-accredited program are essential. Continuing education, including optional residencies or fellowships for board specialization, can further boost their starting pay. The landscape of outpatient orthopedics can be competitive; while many newly minted therapists might begin at salaries lower than the region's median, those with a strategic approach, networking through APTA events, and considering productivity-based compensation models will likely see significant salary advancements in their early career years.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Akron in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist salaries grow in Akron?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Akron?
What do new physical therapists make right out of school in Akron?
How do I become a physical therapist in Ohio?
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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 Akron. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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