Physical Therapist Salary in Montgomery, AL: $98,730 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Montgomery, AL earns a median $98,730/year (≈ $47.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $110,089 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, physical therapists in Montgomery, Alabama can expect a median annual salary of $98,730, which is slightly lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary spectrum for this profession in the area ranges from $75,605 at the 10th percentile to $129,038 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a variety of factors affecting compensation. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, emphasizing the influence of productivity expectations on pay structures. As the local market accommodates pressures such as visits-per-day requirements, effective hourly compensation can vary significantly among individual practitioners and clinics in Montgomery.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,605 | $36.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,886 | $41.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,667 | $55.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,038 | $62.04 |
Median Salary Position
6.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,433 (2026 est.). At $98,730, the local median is 6.23% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montgomery Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $98,730/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,326 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -6.23% less |
Physical Therapists in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $98,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.23% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.60% below the Alabama state average of $99,326.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery has a cost of living 10.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 89.682 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $98,730 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,089 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,100
2025 BLS Actual
$96,360
2026 Current Est.
$98,730
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,730 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,159 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 28.3% from $75,100 (2019) to $96,360 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,159 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,059 (34.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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) | $75,605 – $86,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,886 – $98,730 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,730 – $115,667 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,667 – $129,038 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Montgomery
The job market for physical therapists in Montgomery consists of approximately 170 employed professionals, which indicates a stable demand for services in the region. With a cost-of-living index at 89.682, the purchasing power for physical therapist pay in Montgomery AL is relatively strong. Outpatient clinics, especially private practices and chains like ATI and Athletico, typically offer competitive salaries, although hospital-based systems may outpace these offerings in terms of overall compensation. The discrepancy between lower and higher earnings can often be linked to productivity metrics, with a focus on units per visit and the caseload handled daily. Therapists with advanced board certifications, such as the OCS and SCS, can enhance their earning potential, as can those who engage in cash-pay practices, leveraging added value in a more competitive landscape. To maximize physical therapist salary in Montgomery, pursuing specialized training and considering diverse employment settings will be advantageous.
More salary data for Montgomery, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Montgomery, AL in 2026?
Is Montgomery, AL a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Montgomery?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Montgomery?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Montgomery?
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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 $96,360 for physical therapistsin the Montgomery 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