Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Wildwood, MO: $48.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Wildwood, MO runs $48.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,372 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Wildwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,828 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist hourly pay in Wildwood, Missouri, is projected to be $48.74, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $50.62. This rate offers a competitive edge for various types of employment arrangements, including part-time therapists working three days a week, typically totaling about 24 hours, who can thus expect to earn a respectable hourly wage for their workload. The range for hourly pay runs from $37.66 at the entry-level to around $60.73 for top earners. These estimates, derived from annual salary projections, highlight the opportunities available in diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and even home health visits, where flexibility is a significant draw for many professionals.
About the Wildwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.66 | $301.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.13 | $329.02 |
| Median (P50) | $48.74 | $389.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.04 | $448.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.73 | $485.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wildwood
Based on $48.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.74/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wildwood, MO can expect to earn approximately $101,380 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,488. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wildwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wildwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,949.61 | $8,448 | $101,380 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.77 | $5,069 | $60,828 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.84 | $3,379 | $40,552 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Wildwood) | $48.74 |
| 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 Wildwood, MO earn a median of $101,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.72% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $102,189.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.74/hr = $60,828/year (purchasing power: $67,888).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,380/year (purchasing power: $113,147).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Wildwood grew 14.9% from $41.40/hr (2019) to $47.57/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.94/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 Wildwood 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 Wildwood
Examining the earning potential for part-time physical therapists can reveal substantial differences from their full-time counterparts. A moderate three-day work week can yield an annual income that, while lower than full-time positions, still offers financial stability—especially if one considers the scheduling freedom associated with part-time roles. On the other hand, per diem physical therapist pay in Wildwood may range from $50 to $75 an hour, depending on demand and specific contracts. Travel PT engagements frequently command higher fees of $1,800 to $2,800 weekly due to the nature of the work and associated expenses. Hourly rates can differ greatly based on employment settings; outpatient clinics may offer less than hospital systems, while agency or locum work delivers higher pay but often lacks benefits. Therapists should weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without health insurance against more stable jobs with comprehensive benefits, and negotiate wisely. As the field continues to evolve, practitioners must remain informed about reimbursement trends through agencies like APTA and adapt their career strategies accordingly, capitalizing on both conventional and innovative payment structures.
More salary data for Wildwood, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Wildwood 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 Wildwood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wildwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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