Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Bowling Green, OH: $50.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Bowling Green, OH runs $50.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,653 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Bowling Green's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,797 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bowling Green, Ohio, physical therapists earn a median hourly pay of $50.32, which places them slightly below the national hourly median of $50.62 as projected for 2026. This hourly rate can be advantageous for those seeking part-time or per-diem roles, allowing flexibility while working in various environments, such as outpatient clinics, hospital rehabilitation units, or home health settings. For instance, a physical therapist working three days a week could earn a substantial amount with this hourly rate, while entry-level therapists start around $39.08 per hour, progressing to top earners at $62.98 per hour. These figures, derived from annual salary estimates, illustrate the potential earnings for a qualified physical therapist in this region.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.08 | $312.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.55 | $340.41 |
| Median (P50) | $50.32 | $402.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.91 | $463.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.98 | $503.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bowling Green
Based on $50.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.32/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bowling Green, OH can expect to earn approximately $104,662 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,382. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bowling Green.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bowling Green
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,012.72 | $8,722 | $104,662 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,207.63 | $5,233 | $62,797 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $805.09 | $3,489 | $41,865 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Bowling Green) | $50.32 |
| 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 Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $104,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.60% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $105,284.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.32/hr = $62,797/year (purchasing power: $69,236).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,662/year (purchasing power: $115,393).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Bowling Green grew 14.9% from $42.74/hr (2019) to $49.11/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.56/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 Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green
When considering the earning potential for part-time therapists, it becomes clear that a physical therapist working a 3-day week, totaling approximately 24 hours, can expect to take home around $62,014 annually, a considerable sum compared to full-time counterparts. The per diem physical therapist pay in Bowling Green varies, with many billing anywhere from $50 to $75 per hour. Those on travel contracts can earn significantly more, with weekly rates between $1,800 and $2,800, not including additional stipends. Different employer types in Bowling Green, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, can influence pay rates, often reflecting the benefits trade-off that many physical therapists face. While some may choose lower hourly rates with health insurance benefits, others may opt for higher wages that come with less job security. Negotiating for hourly rates can depend on specialization and workload expectations, particularly in a market influenced by productivity metrics and reimbursement trends common in the physical therapy field.
More salary data for Bowling Green, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Bowling Green in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Bowling Green?
Are physical therapists in Bowling Green paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Bowling Green?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Bowling Green?
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Career Resources
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 Bowling Green. 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 Bowling Green 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