Physical Therapist Salary in Daphne, AL: $96,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Daphne, AL earns a median $96,435/year (≈ $46.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Daphne's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $101,843 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For physical therapists in Daphne, Alabama, the expected median annual salary in 2026 is $96,435, which reflects a modest 8.41% lower than the national average of $105,288. Situated within a salary range that stretches from $70,031 at the lower end (P10) to $126,272 at the higher end (P90), this data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the competitive but pressure-filled environment local therapists operate in. The higher pay reflects not only professional expertise but also the expectations of managing a significant volume of patient visits per day, requiring therapists to balance productivity demands with quality care in order to maximize their compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,031 | $33.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,884 | $42.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,435 | $46.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,702 | $48.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,272 | $60.71 |
Median Salary Position
8.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daphne
In Daphne, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,241 (2026 est.). At $96,435, the local median is 8.41% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daphne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daphne Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Daphne median: $96,435/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daphne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,316 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -8.41% less |
Physical Therapists in Daphne, AL earn a median of $96,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.41% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.90% below the Alabama state average of $99,316.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daphne has a cost of living 5.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daphne, AL has a cost-of-living index of 94.69 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $96,435 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,843 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,990
2025 BLS Actual
$94,120
2026 Current Est.
$96,435
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Daphne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daphne metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 30.7% from $71,990 (2019) to $94,120 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,818 (37.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daphne 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) | $70,031 – $88,884 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,884 – $96,435 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,435 – $101,702 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,702 – $126,272 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Daphne
The local job market for physical therapists consists of about 90 professionals, a figure that denotes a robust presence in this sector. The cost-of-living index in Daphne stands at 94.69, indicating that the purchasing power of a physical therapist’s salary is enhanced compared to higher-cost areas. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including chains like ATI and Athletico, often yield the greatest salaries, although hospital-based positions may offer stability and benefits that attract many applicants. The disparity between low and high salaries can largely be attributed to factors such as productivity benchmarks, specialized board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the growing trend towards cash-pay models versus traditional insurance reimbursement practices. For therapists looking to optimize their earnings in Daphne, gaining specialized certifications, understanding local employment dynamics, and possibly exploring ownership or equity opportunities in practices can be essential strategies.
More salary data for Daphne, 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 $94,120 for physical therapistsin the Daphne 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
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