Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Niles, MI: $52.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Niles, MI runs $52.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,628 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Niles's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,175 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Niles, Michigan, the projected median hourly pay for physical therapists is $52.22, surpassing the national median of $50.62. This competitive rate positions physical therapists favorably, especially for those working part-time or in per-diem roles at outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing facilities, or home health settings. For physical therapists working three days a week, the hourly earnings can provide a substantial income, enabling them to maintain a balance between their professional and personal lives. The hourly wage spans from $41.06 for entry-level positions to $53.80 for top earners, offering an appealing pathway for both new graduates and experienced clinicians alike. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, underscores the financial viability of pursuing a career in this field within the local area.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.06 | $328.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.34 | $394.76 |
| Median (P50) | $52.22 | $417.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.35 | $426.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.80 | $430.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Niles
Based on $52.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.22/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Niles, MI can expect to earn approximately $108,626 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,669. With a cost-of-living index of 92.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Niles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Niles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,088.95 | $9,052 | $108,626 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,253.37 | $5,431 | $65,175 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $835.58 | $3,621 | $43,450 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Niles) | $52.22 |
| 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 Niles, MI earn a median of $108,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.17% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 4.30% above the Michigan state average of $104,150.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.22/hr = $65,175/year (purchasing power: $70,559).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,626/year (purchasing power: $117,598).
CoL index: 92.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Niles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Niles grew 13.6% from $44.88/hr (2019) to $50.97/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.51/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 Niles 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 Niles
Part-time physical therapists in Niles, working about 24 hours weekly, can expect a take-home income that varies significantly depending on their work arrangement. Their annual compensation may be lower than full-time colleagues, but flexible scheduling can be an appealing trade-off. For per diem physical therapist pay in Niles, compensation typically ranges from $50 to $75 per hour. Additionally, travel physical therapists might secure lucrative contracts running from $1,800 to $2,800 weekly, including stipends, or specialize in cash-pay settings that can offer $150 to $250 hourly in high cost of living markets. Different employer types in Niles, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals, yield varying hourly rates influenced by benefits and job expectations. Therapists must often weigh the security of benefits against higher hourly pay; hourly negotiation tactics are vital for those seeking the best circumstances in Niles, particularly in a market where productivity pressures can impact earnings.
More salary data for Niles, MI:
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 Niles. 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