Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $50.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Dayton, OH runs $50.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,526 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Dayton, Ohio, earn a median hourly rate of $50.90, slightly above the national median of $50.62. This hourly pay reflects the diverse work settings available to physical therapists, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. For those working part-time—say three days a week—a physical therapist's earnings can still be substantial, especially when factoring in various opportunities in the area. With an industry range from $39.48 at the entry-level to $66.51 for experienced professionals, this data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS projections, highlights the competitive landscape of physical therapist hourly pay in Dayton, OH.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.48 | $315.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.18 | $345.41 |
| Median (P50) | $50.90 | $407.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.61 | $452.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.51 | $532.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $50.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.90/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $105,876 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,083. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,036.09 | $8,823 | $105,876 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,221.65 | $5,294 | $63,526 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $814.43 | $3,529 | $42,351 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Dayton) | $50.90 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $105,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.55% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.50% above the Ohio state average of $105,345.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.90/hr = $63,526/year (purchasing power: $68,533).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,876/year (purchasing power: $114,221).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Dayton grew 10.9% from $44.81/hr (2019) to $49.68/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.15/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Considering part-time work, a physical therapist in Dayton, keeping a 24-hour work week, could earn around $62,520 annually at the median rate. However, many may also explore per diem or locum tenens positions, which offer different earning potential. Typically, per diem physical therapists command between $50 and $75 per hour, while travel contracts can reach $1,800 to $2,800 per week before stipends. Employer types significantly influence hourly rates—outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer lower pay than hospital systems, yet the latter often come with increased productivity expectations due to reimbursement pressures from CMS. Many therapists choose between jobs with benefits and those offering higher hourly compensation, reflecting a broader trend in the industry. Negotiating terms effectively is essential in positions with varying hourly pay in Dayton, which can include leveraging specialty certifications like OCS and SCS to secure higher wages.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Dayton in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Dayton?
Are physical therapists in Dayton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Dayton?
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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 Dayton. 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