Physical Therapist Salary in Alabama: $99,525 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $99,525/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,225 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Gadsden ($106,720), Tuscaloosa ($106,450), Huntsville ($99,760).
In Alabama, the projected average median salary for physical therapists in 2026 is $99,526, which is 5.5% lower than the national median salary of $105,288. This discrepancy reflects various local economic factors and the state’s health care funding dynamics. The highest paying city in Alabama is Gadsden, with a salary projection of $109,345, while Florence has the lowest projected salary at $86,835, indicating a salary gap of $22,510. This difference can be attributed to variations in demand for physical therapy services, cost of living, and the availability of positions across different regions. Alabama requires physical therapists to have a state-issued license, and it adheres to scope of practice laws that align with national standards. These regulations ensure that practitioners possess the necessary skills and training. The job market for physical therapists is projected to see an annual growth rate of 2.46%, suggesting steady demand driven by an aging population and increased emphasis on rehabilitation services. With a total of 2,558 employed physical therapists statewide, the outlook for the profession remains positive as healthcare needs continue to evolve in Alabama.
Alabama Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $60,154 (lowest entry-level) to $154,346 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama physical therapists earn 5.47% less than the national median ($-5,763/year difference).
Alabama Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Alabama range from $76,898 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $135,440 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $99,525. The Alabama median is $5,763 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $47.85/hr. Approximately 2,558 physical therapists are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$89,998
2025 BLS Actual
$97,136
2026 Current Est.
$99,525
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,998 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,496 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,674 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,114 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,136 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,525 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,973 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 7.9% from $89,998 (2019) to $97,136 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,973 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,975 (13.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Florence | $86,835 |
| Opelika | $87,860 |
| Auburn | $88,239 |
| Pelham | $91,890 |
| Albertville | $95,178 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gadsden | $109,345 | 85.653 | $127,660 |
| Tuscaloosa | $109,069 | 87.722 | $124,335 |
| Anniston | $100,944 | 85.949 | $117,446 |
| Dothan | $97,808 | 83.833 | $116,670 |
| Decatur | $100,001 | 87.212 | $114,664 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $76,898 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $99,525 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $135,440 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gadsden | $109,345 |
| 2 | Tuscaloosa | $109,069 |
| 3 | Huntsville | $102,214 |
| 4 | Anniston | $100,944 |
| 5 | Hoover | $100,328 |
| 6 | Birmingham | $100,155 |
| 7 | Decatur | $100,001 |
| 8 | Montgomery | $98,730 |
| 9 | Dothan | $97,808 |
| 10 | Phenix City | $97,777 |
| 11 | Prattville | $97,245 |
| 12 | Northport | $97,029 |
| 13 | Madison | $96,881 |
| 14 | Mobile | $96,599 |
| 15 | Daphne | $96,435 |
| 16 | Alabaster | $96,281 |
| 17 | Enterprise | $96,126 |
| 18 | Homewood | $96,003 |
| 19 | Vestavia Hills | $95,394 |
| 20 | Albertville | $95,178 |
| 21 | Pelham | $91,890 |
| 22 | Auburn | $88,239 |
| 23 | Opelika | $87,860 |
| 24 | Florence | $86,835 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Alabama cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Alabama?
How does Alabama physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Alabama?
How many physical therapists are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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