Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Yuma, AZ: $48.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Yuma, AZ runs $48.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Yuma's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,738 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Yuma, Arizona, physical therapists earn a median hourly rate of $48.67, which is slightly below the national median of $50.62. This earnings potential is critical for both full-time and part-time professionals in diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and home health care. For physical therapists working part-time—say, three days a week—this hourly wage allows for a comfortable income, particularly in a city with a cost of living index below the national average at 92.706. With an hourly range from $37.74 for entry-level positions to $57.45 for top earners, the landscape for physical therapist hourly pay in Yuma is indicative of the broader trends in the profession, showing how location and experience shape financial outcomes.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.74 | $301.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.02 | $320.17 |
| Median (P50) | $48.67 | $389.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.14 | $425.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.45 | $459.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yuma
Based on $48.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.67/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yuma, AZ can expect to earn approximately $101,230 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,402. With a cost-of-living index of 92.71 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Yuma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yuma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,946.74 | $8,436 | $101,230 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,168.04 | $5,062 | $60,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $778.70 | $3,374 | $40,492 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Yuma) | $48.67 |
| 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 Yuma, AZ earn a median of $101,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.86% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.30% below the Arizona state average of $105,768.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.67/hr = $60,738/year (purchasing power: $65,517).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,230/year (purchasing power: $109,195).
CoL index: 92.706 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-4.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Yuma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Yuma grew -8.8% from $52.11/hr (2019) to $47.50/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.87/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 Yuma 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 Yuma
Exploring potential earnings further, a part-time physical therapist working 24 hours a week in Yuma could expect to take home around $61,571 annually, a figure that contrasts with a full-time therapist's earnings. For those seeking flexibility, per diem work offers considerable financial rewards, with rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour, while travel contracts can provide substantial weekly stipends between $1,800 and $2,800. Hourly pay can differ significantly across various settings; for instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics might pay lower hourly wages compared to hospital systems but often include bonuses tied to productivity. The trade-off for physical therapists typically comes down to choosing between lower hourly rates for positions with health benefits versus higher rates with fewer or no benefits. For those in Yuma, advantageous negotiation skills can lead to better hourly pay, ensuring that therapists align their earnings with their lifestyle and personal preferences within the evolving market dynamics of physical therapy.
More salary data for Yuma, AZ:
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 Yuma. 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