Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Gadsden, AL: $52.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Gadsden, AL runs $52.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,345 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Gadsden's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,610 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, the projected physical therapist hourly pay for 2026 is $52.57, which is above the national median of $50.62. This higher hourly rate can be beneficial for part-time physical therapists working three days a week or those engaged in per-diem positions, particularly in outpatient clinic gyms, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing settings, home health, and sports performance centers. The hourly wage spans from a starting rate of $37.71 for entry-level positions up to $70.64 for the highest earners, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) using 2025 data projected for 2026. These figures provide a clear picture of what physical therapists in Gadsden can expect to earn on an hourly basis, impacting their work-life balance and financial stability.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.71 | $301.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.32 | $322.54 |
| Median (P50) | $52.57 | $420.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.57 | $420.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.64 | $565.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gadsden
Based on $52.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.57/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gadsden, AL can expect to earn approximately $109,350 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,087. With a cost-of-living index of 85.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gadsden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gadsden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,102.89 | $9,113 | $109,350 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,261.73 | $5,468 | $65,610 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $841.16 | $3,645 | $43,740 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Gadsden) | $52.57 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $109,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.85% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 10.00% above the Alabama state average of $99,405.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.57/hr = $65,610/year (purchasing power: $76,600).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,350/year (purchasing power: $127,667).
CoL index: 85.653 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Gadsden grew 7.4% from $47.76/hr (2019) to $51.31/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.87/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Gadsden
In terms of part-time earning potential, a physical therapist working 3 days a week for 24 hours can expect a significant annual income, but still falls short compared to full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, per diem physical therapists commonly bill at rates between $50 and $75 per hour, and travel contracts can award weekly earnings of $1,800 to $2,800, capturing the lucrative side of this profession. Additionally, the hourly rates vary across different employer types in Gadsden. For instance, physical therapists in outpatient orthopedic clinics or those working with travel PT agencies may see greater fluctuations in their pay compared to staff at hospital inpatient rehab facilities or skilled nursing centers. Factors such as health insurance benefits often play a critical role in compensation choices, with many accepting lower hourly pay for the security of employer-provided health coverage. For those starting their careers in Gadsden, understanding the negotiation dynamics and average pay rates across various settings can provide valuable advantages in terms of contracts and employment opportunities.
More salary data for Gadsden, AL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Gadsden. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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