Physical Therapist Salary in Alabaster, AL: $96,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Alabaster, AL earns a median $96,281/year (≈ $46.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Alabaster's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $109,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The physical therapist salary in Alabaster, Alabama is projected to reach a median of $96,281 in 2026, reflecting local market dynamics and a growing emphasis on cash-pay models in orthopedic specialty practices. The salary range for physical therapists in the city spans from $78,266 at the 10th percentile to $125,114 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate a competitive job market for physical therapists, despite the overall pay being about 8.55% lower than the national median of $105,288. Factors such as the consolidation of outpatient clinics and a shift towards cash-based service delivery contribute to potential increases in top-end pay within this sector.
About the Alabaster Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,266 | $37.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,308 | $40.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,281 | $46.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,007 | $52.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,114 | $60.15 |
Median Salary Position
8.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alabaster
In Alabaster, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,848 (2026 est.). At $96,281, the local median is 8.55% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alabaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alabaster Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Alabaster median: $96,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alabaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,361 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -8.55% less |
Physical Therapists in Alabaster, AL earn a median of $96,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.55% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.10% below the Alabama state average of $99,361.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alabaster has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alabaster, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $96,281 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,535 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,789
2025 BLS Actual
$93,969
2026 Current Est.
$96,281
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Alabaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,789 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,224 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,357 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,969 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabaster metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $81,789 (2019) to $93,969 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,860 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabaster 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,266 – $84,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,308 – $96,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,281 – $110,007 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,007 – $125,114 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Alabaster
Currently, there are eight physical therapists employed in Alabaster, which reflects a specialized but stable job market. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, the purchasing power is favorable compared to many other regions, allowing therapists to access a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, outpatient clinics—particularly those affiliated with larger chains like ATI and Athletico—tend to offer competitive pay structures, often supplemented by performance-based incentives. The compensation range can also be influenced by factors such as productivity expectations, the presence of board-certified specialists, and the choice between cash-pay versus insurance-dependent models. Physical therapists aiming to maximize their pay in this market should consider pursuing advanced board certifications, staying abreast of the latest productivity standards, and exploring opportunities in cash-pay models to enhance their earning potential in Alabaster, AL.
More salary data for Alabaster, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $93,969 for physical therapistsin the Alabaster metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alabaster 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