Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Alexandria, VA: $50.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Alexandria, VA runs $50.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,623 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Alexandria's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,771 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Alexandria, Virginia, physical therapists earn a median hourly rate of $50.30, which is slightly below the national average of $50.62. This rate offers substantial earning potential for both part-time employees working three days a week and per-diem practitioners who may operate in various settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, and home health services. Entry-level positions typically start around $38.45, while experienced clinicians can command up to $67.85 per hour, reflecting the growing demand for physical therapy services in this area. These projections, derived from estimated annual data, illustrate an appealing landscape for physical therapists seeking flexible work arrangements in Alexandria's evolving healthcare environment.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.45 | $307.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.51 | $340.09 |
| Median (P50) | $50.30 | $402.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.46 | $483.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.85 | $542.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alexandria
Based on $50.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.30/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alexandria, VA can expect to earn approximately $104,619 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,357. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Alexandria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alexandria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,011.90 | $8,718 | $104,619 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,207.14 | $5,231 | $62,771 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $804.76 | $3,487 | $41,848 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Alexandria) | $50.30 |
| 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 Alexandria, VA earn a median of $104,623 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.63% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% below the Virginia state average of $104,938.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.30/hr = $62,771/year (purchasing power: $60,825).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,619/year (purchasing power: $101,375).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Alexandria grew 14.9% from $42.73/hr (2019) to $49.09/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.53/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 Alexandria 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 Alexandria
When evaluating the financial outlook for physical therapists in Alexandria, part-time professionals earning roughly $50.30 hourly can expect significantly reduced annual earnings compared to their full-time counterparts, especially if they only work 24 hours a week. For per-diem roles, billing rates tend to range between $50 and $75 per hour, varying by contract and employer type. Additionally, specialized travel PT positions can yield higher incomes, with weekly contracts between $1,800 and $2,800, reflecting the increasing demand for therapists across different sectors. In this competitive environment, outpatient clinics often pay less than hospital systems but may offer productivity bonuses that can enhance overall earnings. Therapists in Alexandria weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages against job security and health insurance benefits, which can make positions with lower pay yet comprehensive benefits attractive. For those negotiating hourly rates, emphasizing unique skills or certifications may yield better compensation packages, aligning with the shifting dynamics in physical therapist hourly pay in Virginia.
More salary data for Alexandria, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Alexandria in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Alexandria?
Are physical therapists in Alexandria paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Alexandria?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Alexandria?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Alexandria. 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 Alexandria 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