Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $51.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Cleveland, OH runs $51.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,589 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,961 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, Ohio, the projected median hourly pay for physical therapists in 2026 is $51.25, slightly above the national median of $50.62. This competitive hourly rate is significant for professionals working part-time or on a per-diem basis across various settings, including outpatient clinics, inpatient rehab units, and home health environments. Within the local market, entry-level therapists can expect to start at around $39.22 per hour, while experienced clinicians can earn as much as $62.65 per hour. With approximately 2,000 physical therapists employed in the Cleveland area, this hourly data reflects the current demand and pay trends, emphasizing the profession's value within the healthcare landscape.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.22 | $313.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.75 | $334.02 |
| Median (P50) | $51.25 | $410.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.24 | $457.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.65 | $501.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $51.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.25/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $106,601 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,501. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,050.02 | $8,883 | $106,601 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,230.01 | $5,330 | $63,961 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $820.01 | $3,553 | $42,640 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Cleveland) | $51.25 |
| 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 Cleveland, OH earn a median of $106,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.20% above the Ohio state average of $105,325.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.25/hr = $63,961/year (purchasing power: $68,099).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,601/year (purchasing power: $113,498).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Cleveland grew 20.6% from $41.46/hr (2019) to $50.02/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.51/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Examining the part-time earning potential for a physical therapist working three days a week, a typical schedule yielding about 24 hours means an annual income of roughly $63,600, significantly less than full-time counterparts. Per diem physical therapists in Cleveland typically earn between $50 and $75 per hour, with travel contracts generating substantial weekly rates of $1,800 to $2,800, inclusive of stipends. Hourly pay can vary notably across employer types; therapists at outpatient orthopedic clinics may see benefits like health insurance, which often compromises the higher pay available in cash-pay models within private practice settings. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits is critical. Therapists should assess their individual needs and be prepared to ask for higher wages, especially when exploring opportunities that align with specialties such as sports therapy or pediatrics in Cleveland's evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Cleveland in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Cleveland?
Are physical therapists in Cleveland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Cleveland?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Cleveland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 Cleveland. 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