Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Sierra Vista, AZ: $51.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Sierra Vista, AZ runs $51.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Sierra Vista's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,587 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Sierra Vista, Arizona, the physical therapist hourly pay stands at an impressive $51.75, slightly surpassing the national median of $50.62 per hour. This hourly rate presents significant opportunities for both part-time and per-diem physical therapists working in various environments such as outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings. Entry-level physical therapists can expect to start at around $37.80, while top earners may reach a high of $64.69 per hour, reflecting the diverse skill sets and experiences within the field. Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), based on 2025 estimates projected to 2026, highlights these figures, indicating a healthy demand and compensation for physical therapists in the region.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.80 | $302.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.73 | $357.87 |
| Median (P50) | $51.75 | $414.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.20 | $489.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.69 | $517.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sierra Vista
Based on $51.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.75/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sierra Vista, AZ can expect to earn approximately $107,645 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,103. With a cost-of-living index of 89.24 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sierra Vista.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sierra Vista
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,070.10 | $8,970 | $107,645 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,242.06 | $5,382 | $64,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $828.04 | $3,588 | $43,058 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Sierra Vista) | $51.75 |
| 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 Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $107,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.23% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.80% above the Arizona state average of $105,731.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.75/hr = $64,587/year (purchasing power: $72,372).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,645/year (purchasing power: $120,620).
CoL index: 89.243 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Sierra Vista grew 16.4% from $43.39/hr (2019) to $50.51/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.03/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 Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista
Examining the earnings potential for physical therapists working part-time shows that a professional who is active three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, could generate a yearly income of approximately $62,400, assuming consistent pay at the median rate. For those opting for per-diem roles, the compensation can vary significantly, with common billing rates from $50 to $75 per hour, while specialized contracts could yield as much as $2,800 weekly. The hourly pay can also differ depending on the employer type; outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer lower rates than hospitals due to varying business models, yet they may provide bonuses linked to productivity. Many therapists face a trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits versus lower rates that include health coverage, an essential consideration given the rising costs of healthcare. When negotiating for hourly rates in Sierra Vista, therapists should emphasize their specialized skills and consider the comprehensive value of potential benefits over base pay to arrive at an equitable agreement.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Sierra Vista in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Sierra Vista?
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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 Sierra Vista. 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