Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Tulsa, OK: $49.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Tulsa, OK runs $49.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,321 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Tulsa's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,991 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tulsa, the projected median hourly pay for physical therapists is set at $49.67, a figure that is slightly below the national median of $50.62. This hourly compensation is significant for professionals who may work part-time or as per-diem therapists in various settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, and home health environments. For those managing a part-time schedule of three days a week, the earning potential can still be substantial, while entry-level positions might start around $36.83 per hour, increasing to $62.81 for experienced therapists at the top of their field. Such official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data not only highlights the range of pay but also reflects the varied work environments that influence these rates, giving potential employees insights into what they might expect in terms of compensation.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.83 | $294.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.44 | $307.54 |
| Median (P50) | $49.67 | $397.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.47 | $459.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.81 | $502.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tulsa
Based on $49.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.67/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tulsa, OK can expect to earn approximately $103,319 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,607. With a cost-of-living index of 89.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tulsa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tulsa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,986.90 | $8,610 | $103,319 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,192.14 | $5,166 | $61,991 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $794.76 | $3,444 | $41,328 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Tulsa) | $49.67 |
| 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 Tulsa, OK earn a median of $103,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.87% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 10.40% above the Oklahoma state average of $93,588.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.67/hr = $61,991/year (purchasing power: $69,486).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,319/year (purchasing power: $115,810).
CoL index: 89.214 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Tulsa grew 25.7% from $38.58/hr (2019) to $48.48/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.89/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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa
When it comes to part-time opportunities, a physical therapist working 24 hours per week in Tulsa could anticipate an annual income of approximately $61,897, which remains a respectable figure compared to those in full-time positions. Furthermore, per-diem physical therapists in this area often bill between $50 and $75 per hour, while those engaged in travel contracts can see weekly compensation rise to between $1,800 and $2,800. Such financial dynamics reveal a spectrum of hourly rates across different employment types, with outpatient orthopedic clinics usually offering lower wages compared to hospital systems that may provide additional benefits like health insurance. For professionals considering their options, negotiating salaries is essential—those accepting lower hourly rates may do so for the inclusion of health benefits, while some leverage higher rates for more flexible, independent working arrangements.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Tulsa in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Tulsa?
Are physical therapists in Tulsa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Tulsa?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Tulsa?
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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 Tulsa. 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