Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in East Brunswick, NJ: $57.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in East Brunswick, NJ runs $57.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,674 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against East Brunswick's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,211 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Brunswick, New Jersey, physical therapists earn a median hourly rate of $57.06, significantly surpassing the national median of $50.62. This competitive pay contributes to favorable conditions for part-time and per-diem workers within various practice settings, including outpatient clinics, hospital rehabilitation units, and home health visits. For a part-time physical therapist working three days a week, the hourly rate can translate into a sustainable income, particularly for those seeking work-life balance. The hourly pay ranges from $42.83 at the entry-level to $75.08 for experienced practitioners in this region, showcasing the earning potential depending on expertise and employer type.
About the East Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.83 | $342.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.16 | $377.30 |
| Median (P50) | $57.06 | $456.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.70 | $517.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.08 | $600.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Brunswick
Based on $57.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.06/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Brunswick, NJ can expect to earn approximately $118,685 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,472. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in East Brunswick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Brunswick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,282.40 | $9,890 | $118,685 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,369.44 | $5,934 | $71,211 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $912.96 | $3,956 | $47,474 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (East Brunswick) | $57.06 |
| 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 East Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $118,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.71% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.20% below the New Jersey state average of $121,344.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.06/hr = $71,211/year (purchasing power: $61,815).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,685/year (purchasing power: $103,025).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in East Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in East Brunswick grew 14.9% from $48.47/hr (2019) to $55.69/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.46/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 East Brunswick 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 East Brunswick
For physical therapists in East Brunswick, working part-time can yield distinct financial scenarios compared to full-time positions. For instance, a therapist working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to earn an annual income reflective of their hourly rate, making it a viable option for many. In per diem settings, such as agency work or locum tenens opportunities, therapists can earn between $50 and $75 per hour, with certain travel contracts offering lucrative weekly earnings of $1,800 to $2,800 that include additional stipends. Various employer types impact pay rates; outpatient orthopedic clinics can offer competitive salaries but often with fewer benefits compared to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or specialized clinics. This trade-off can lead some therapists to favor higher hourly pay rates associated with less job security and no benefits, making negotiation skills essential in this competitive job market.
More salary data for East Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in East Brunswick in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in East Brunswick?
Are physical therapists in East Brunswick paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in East Brunswick?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in East Brunswick?
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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 East Brunswick. 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 East Brunswick 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