Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Gulfport, MS: $50.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Gulfport, MS runs $50.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,376 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Gulfport's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.0, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,631 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Gulfport, Mississippi, offers a competitive physical therapist hourly pay of $50.18, slightly below the national median of $50.62. For part-time or per-diem physical therapists working three days a week, this rate can lead to substantial earnings, particularly in common settings such as outpatient clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, and home health environments. The hourly range spans from $36.77 for entry-level positions to $62.35 for top earners, as indicated by official BLS data. These figures present lucrative opportunities for professionals in various specialties, including those seeking to work on a flexible basis in sports performance centers or pediatric therapy rooms.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.77 | $294.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.73 | $325.82 |
| Median (P50) | $50.18 | $401.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.47 | $427.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.35 | $498.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gulfport
Based on $50.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.18/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gulfport, MS can expect to earn approximately $104,385 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,222. With a cost-of-living index of 90.01 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gulfport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gulfport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,007.40 | $8,699 | $104,385 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,204.44 | $5,219 | $62,631 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $802.96 | $3,479 | $41,754 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Gulfport) | $50.18 |
| 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 Gulfport, MS earn a median of $104,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.87% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 15.70% above the Mississippi state average of $90,213.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.18/hr = $62,631/year (purchasing power: $69,585).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,385/year (purchasing power: $115,975).
CoL index: 90.006 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Gulfport grew 30.2% from $37.62/hr (2019) to $48.98/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.42/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 Gulfport 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 Gulfport
With such hourly pay structures, part-time physical therapists in Gulfport can expect to earn considerably less than their full-time counterparts when working limited hours. For instance, someone working 24 hours a week might bring in around $62,000 annually, contrasting with the full-time earnings that can reach significantly higher figures based on hours worked. Per diem physical therapist pay in Gulfport typically ranges from $50 to $75 per hour, while travel contracts can offer weekly pay between $1,800 and $2,800, highlighting the variability in earnings based on work arrangement and demand. Additionally, compensation can differ based on employer types: outpatient clinics may offer lower pay compared to hospitals, which often provide benefits like health insurance, making for a compelling trade-off for many therapists. Negotiation strategies in Gulfport should focus on the broader context—understanding reimbursement models and the growing trend of cash-pay practices can empower physical therapists to seek favorable hourly rates.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Gulfport in 2026?
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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 Gulfport. 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