Physical Therapist Salary in Opelika, AL: $87,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Opelika, AL earns a median $87,860/year (≈ $42.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $99,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.6% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapists in Opelika, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $87,860 in 2026, illustrating the competitive nature of the job market for this profession. Salary estimates show a range from $71,235 at the entry level (P10) to $113,409 for those at the 90th percentile (P90). This compensation is influenced by the type of practice setting; outpatient chains typically offer different pay structures compared to hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. Although the local salaries are notably lower than the national median of $105,288, the cost of living in Opelika is also relatively low, which can impact overall financial satisfaction for professionals in the area.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,235 | $34.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,592 | $36.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,418 | $49.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,409 | $54.52 |
Median Salary Position
16.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,174 (2026 est.). At $87,860, the local median is 16.55% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Opelika median: $87,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,390 | -11.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -16.55% less |
Physical Therapists in Opelika, AL earn a median of $87,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.55% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 11.60% below the Alabama state average of $99,390.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika 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.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $87,860 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,954 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$74,636
2025 BLS Actual
$85,751
2026 Current Est.
$87,860
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,636 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,946 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,793 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,545 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,206 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,106 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,751 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,022 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $74,636 (2019) to $85,751 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,386 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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) | $71,235 – $76,592 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,592 – $87,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,860 – $103,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,418 – $113,409 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Opelika
With only seven physical therapists currently employed in Opelika, the local job market demonstrates some level of demand but also limited competition. The cost-of-living index stands at 87.9, indicating that expenses are below the national average, which can empower professionals to make the most of their earnings. In terms of pay distribution, outpatient orthopedic clinics often pay less but may include productivity bonuses, while hospital settings may provide more robust compensation packages. Variations in pay are frequently driven by factors such as expected productivity (e.g., units per visit and visits per day), specialized board certifications like the OCS or SCS, and whether the practice model is cash-pay versus insurance-based. Physical therapists looking to maximize their pay in Opelika may benefit from pursuing additional certifications, exploring different practice settings, and considering job offers that include performance incentives.
More salary data for Opelika, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Opelika, AL in 2026?
Is Opelika, AL a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Opelika?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Opelika?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Opelika?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $85,751 for physical therapistsin the Opelika 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 Opelika 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