Physical Therapist Salary in Gadsden, AL: $109,345 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Gadsden, AL earns a median $109,345/year (≈ $52.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $127,660 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 median annual pay for physical therapists in Gadsden, Alabama, is projected to be $109,345, outpacing the national median of $105,288 by approximately 3.85%. This salary range varies significantly, with the lowest earners making around $78,413 and the top-tier professionals potentially earning up to $146,917. These insights are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and reflect the ongoing demand for physical therapy services in Gadsden. Productivity expectations and the pressure to maximize patient visits per day are critical factors influencing compensation, shaping the overall financial landscape of physical therapist roles in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,413 | $37.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,864 | $40.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,345 | $52.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,345 | $52.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,917 | $70.64 |
Median Salary Position
3.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,504 (2026 est.). At $109,345, the local median is 3.85% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gadsden Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $109,345/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,405 | +10.00% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +3.85% more |
Physical Therapists in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $109,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.85% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 10.00% above the Alabama state average of $99,405.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden has a cost of living 14.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.653 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $109,345 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,660 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,330
2025 BLS Actual
$106,720
2026 Current Est.
$109,345
2019–2027 Growth
+12.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,345 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,035 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 7.4% from $99,330 (2019) to $106,720 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,035 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,705 (12.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $78,413 – $83,864 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,864 – $109,345 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,345 – $109,345 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,345 – $146,917 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Gadsden
Currently, Gadsden employs about 100 physical therapists, signaling a steady job market in this field. The local cost of living index is notably low at 85.653, which enhances the purchasing power of physical therapist salaries here. In terms of employer types, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as ATI and Athletico tend to offer competitive compensation but may have lower base salaries compared to hospital systems, which often provide higher pay along with additional benefits like board certification stipends. Variations in pay are driven by factors like productivity expectations and the shift towards cash-pay versus insurance-based practice models. To maximize earnings in Gadsden, physical therapists should focus on obtaining specialized certifications, developing strong patient management skills, and considering opportunities in travel PT, where the compensation is often elevated.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 $106,720 for physical therapistsin the Gadsden 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