Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $43.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Lake Charles, LA runs $43.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,087 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,652 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lake Charles, the physical therapist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $43.79, which is significantly lower than the national average of $50.62. This difference indicates the financial landscape physical therapists face in this region compared to their peers elsewhere in the country. The hourly pay spectrum ranges from $27.18 at the entry level to about $64.21 for those in the top earning bracket, reflecting a variety of workplace settings available, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, provide a foundational understanding for both full-time and part-time professionals, including those considering per diem work, which is common in outpatient and specialized clinics.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.18 | $217.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.26 | $282.05 |
| Median (P50) | $43.79 | $350.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.61 | $420.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.21 | $513.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $43.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.79/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $91,086 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,550. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,751.66 | $7,591 | $91,086 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,050.99 | $4,554 | $54,652 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $700.66 | $3,036 | $36,434 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Lake Charles) | $43.79 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $91,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.49% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 10.10% below the Louisiana state average of $101,320.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.79/hr = $54,652/year (purchasing power: $63,658).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,086/year (purchasing power: $106,097).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Lake Charles grew 13.9% from $37.53/hr (2019) to $42.74/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.87/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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
For physical therapists working part-time in Lake Charles, such as those taking on a 3-day workweek totaling around 24 hours, the annual earnings can be substantially lower than full-time counterparts. Even though part-time roles offer flexibility, the annual take-home can often fall short of the full-time annual projections. Per diem physical therapist pay in Lake Charles typically ranges higher, as these professionals can charge between $50 and $75 per hour, and travel contracts may offer weekly pay from $1,800 to $2,800, including stipends. Additionally, therapists may choose between various employer types, which can significantly impact hourly rates; for instance, positions in outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer different compensation compared to hospital settings or home health agencies. While some therapists accept lower hourly rates to secure benefits, others prefer the cash-pay model tailored for high-cost services in athletic and orthopedic care. Negotiating pay can be a strategic move for hourly workers—understanding the specific payment models in Lake Charles can lead to better compensation structures.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Lake Charles in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Lake Charles?
Are physical therapists in Lake Charles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Lake Charles?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Lake Charles?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Lake Charles. 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