Physical Therapist Salary in Mobile, AL: $96,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Mobile, AL earns a median $96,599/year (≈ $46.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Mobile's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $109,649 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Mobile, Alabama, the expected compensation for physical therapists is reflected in the median annual salary of $96,599, which is approximately 8.25% lower than the national median of $105,288 for 2026. Salaries for physical therapists in the area range from $78,034 at the 10th percentile to $127,747 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlight both the potential for competitive earnings and the pressures associated with productivity expectations in a dynamic healthcare market. With 240 physical therapists currently employed in Mobile, the demand signals a growing sector, albeit with varying financial expectations depending on practice settings and individual performance.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,034 | $37.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,216 | $40.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,599 | $46.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,257 | $50.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,747 | $61.41 |
Median Salary Position
8.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mobile
In Mobile, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,713 (2026 est.). At $96,599, the local median is 8.25% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mobile: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mobile Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Mobile median: $96,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mobile Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,382 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -8.25% less |
Physical Therapists in Mobile, AL earn a median of $96,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.25% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.80% below the Alabama state average of $99,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mobile has a cost of living 11.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mobile, AL has a cost-of-living index of 88.098 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $96,599 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,649 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,340
2025 BLS Actual
$94,280
2026 Current Est.
$96,599
2019–2027 Growth
+8.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Mobile (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,976 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mobile metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 3.2% from $91,340 (2019) to $94,280 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,976 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,636 (8.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mobile 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) | $78,034 – $85,216 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,216 – $96,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,599 – $105,257 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,257 – $127,747 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Mobile
The local job market for physical therapists in Mobile is influenced significantly by a cost-of-living index of 88.098, indicating that the purchasing power in the area may skew a more favorable perspective on salaries when compared to more expensive regions. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including larger chains like ATI and Athletico, typically pay less than hospital settings but may offer performance bonuses tied to productivity, which can affect overall earnings. The variance in pay is also driven by several factors, such as unit production expectations, board certifications like OCS or SCS, ownership stakes in clinics, and practice models between cash-pay and insurance-based systems. For physical therapists looking to maximize their salary, pursuing advanced certifications, understanding the local market dynamics, and considering work in higher-paying settings like inpatient rehab facilities or specialized clinics could significantly enhance their earning potential in Mobile, AL.
More salary data for Mobile, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Mobile, AL in 2026?
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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 $94,280 for physical therapistsin the Mobile 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