Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $40.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Great Falls, MT runs $40.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,976 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,394 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, the physical therapist hourly pay stands at a median of $40.38, which falls below the national median of $50.62. This translates to varying earnings potential for those in the field, particularly for part-time and per-diem workers in various practice settings. Those working three days a week in outpatient clinics, hospitals, or even providing home health services can anticipate solid earnings, complemented by the flexibility that per-diem positions offer. Entry-level physical therapists can expect hourly wages around $37.81, while the most experienced practitioners are positioned to earn up to $51.79 per hour, according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.81 | $302.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.41 | $315.25 |
| Median (P50) | $40.38 | $323.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.79 | $414.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.79 | $414.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $40.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.38/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $83,989 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,455. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,615.18 | $6,999 | $83,989 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $969.11 | $4,199 | $50,394 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $646.07 | $2,800 | $33,596 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Great Falls) | $40.38 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $83,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.24% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.90% below the Montana state average of $86,484.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.38/hr = $50,394/year (purchasing power: $52,035).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,989/year (purchasing power: $86,726).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$56.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Great Falls grew -30.4% from $56.65/hr (2019) to $39.41/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.37/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Analysing the financial landscape for physical therapists in Great Falls reveals a potential annual income gap between part-time and full-time employment. Working 24 hours a week, a part-time physical therapist could take home approximately $50,000 annually, offering a comfortable lifestyle, albeit less than a full-time counterpart. The per diem physical therapist pay in Great Falls can range from $50 to $75 per hour, depending on the facility and demand, making it an appealing option for those open to traveling or working flexible hours. Various employer types, including outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities, present different hourly rates, often influenced by the economic environment and benefit structures. Therapists choosing positions with lower hourly rates may do so for the added health insurance coverage, contrasted with higher pay options that lack traditional benefits. Effective negotiation strategies are crucial for securing competitive rates while considering the overall compensation package, factoring in both hourly earnings and offered benefits.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Great Falls 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 Great Falls. 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