Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Tulsa, OK: $76,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Tulsa, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,620 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tulsa's local price level (BEA RPP 89.2 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,883 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,321) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapy field in Tulsa, Oklahoma, can expect a starting physical therapist salary of around $76,620 in 2026. This figure represents a notable entry point compared to the city’s median salary of $103,321, highlighting the income growth potential in just a few years. Entry-level therapists can realistically aim for pay increases as they gain experience, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile of approximately $79,960 after acquiring skills and confidence in their roles. Given Tulsa's evolving healthcare market, new grads have favorable conditions for establishing their careers, especially with a 2.46% growth rate expected over the next five years.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tulsa
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 Tulsa
Entry-level physical therapists in Tulsa, OK typically start between $76,620 and $79,960 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $54,027 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,321 — 1.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Oklahoma of $90,000 represents just 117.46% of the starting physical therapist pay ($76,620/year) in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa
- 1Research the Tulsa market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $76,620 to $79,960, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Tulsa, 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 Tulsa for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tulsa'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 Tulsa is $54,027 ( 70.51%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,620, experienced hygienists can earn up to $130,647.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,080
2025 BLS Actual
$74,780
2026 Current Est.
$76,620
2019–2027 Growth
+66.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,504 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Tulsa, OK grew 58.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,080 in 2019 to $74,780 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,504. New graduates entering the Tulsa job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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 Tulsa
For recent graduates looking to enhance their new grad physical therapist pay in OK, targeting specific employers can make a significant difference. Outpatient orthopedic chains such as ATI and Select Medical frequently onboard new DPT graduates, often providing structured productivity ramp-ups and potential bonuses based on performance. Conversely, hospital systems may offer coveted residency programs that lead to board certification, while skilled nursing facilities like Genesis and RehabCare sometimes present higher starting salaries. To boost their earning potential, new physical therapists should prioritize obtaining their Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from CAPTE-accredited programs, passing the NPTE exam, and securing state licensure. Additionally, pursuing optional residency or fellowship opportunities can lead to board specializations (like OCS or SCS). Given the historical pressures from CMS reimbursement cuts, understanding productivity standards in these roles will be paramount for ensuring sustained income growth through the first three years in the profession.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Tulsa in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist salaries grow in Tulsa?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Tulsa?
What do new physical therapists make right out of school in Tulsa?
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Related Pages
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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 Tulsa. 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