Physical Therapist Salary in Vestavia Hills, AL: $95,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Vestavia Hills, AL earns a median $95,394/year (≈ $45.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Vestavia Hills's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $108,526 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected physical therapist salary in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, is approximately $95,394 in 2026, which reflects a notable percentage below the national median of $105,288. The local salary range is quite broad, extending from $73,631 at the lower end to $122,259 among the top earners. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for cost of living. Despite the competitive earnings potential, Vestavia Hills' unique market dynamics are largely influenced by the growing trend of cash-pay orthopedic specialists, which often boosts top-tier compensation for physical therapists who excel in these settings.
About the Vestavia Hills Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,631 | $35.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,342 | $38.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,394 | $45.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,538 | $53.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,259 | $58.78 |
Median Salary Position
9.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vestavia Hills
In Vestavia Hills, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,628 (2026 est.). At $95,394, the local median is 9.4% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vestavia Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vestavia Hills Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Vestavia Hills median: $95,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vestavia Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,369 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -9.40% less |
Physical Therapists in Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $95,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.40% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $99,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vestavia Hills 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.
Vestavia Hills, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $95,394 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,526 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,036
2025 BLS Actual
$93,104
2026 Current Est.
$95,394
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,036 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,458 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,635 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,341 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,104 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,741 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vestavia Hills metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $81,036 (2019) to $93,104 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,741 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,705 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vestavia Hills 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) | $73,631 – $80,342 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,342 – $95,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,394 – $111,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,538 – $122,259 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Vestavia Hills
With only eight physical therapists currently employed in Vestavia Hills, the local job market remains relatively tight. The cost of living index stands at 87.9, which suggests that therapists may find their take-home pay stretches further here than in more expensive areas. Among the highest-paying employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics—particularly those associated with larger chains like ATI or Athletico—often offer competitive incentives aimed at meeting productivity benchmarks. Factors such as board certification stipends for specialties like OCS and SCS, clinic ownership shares, and variations in reimbursement models between cash-pay and insurance settings contribute to the disparity in earnings. For those aspiring to maximize their physical therapist pay in Vestavia Hills AL, focusing on certification and seeking roles in high-demand clinics could be strategic, especially given the increasing emphasis on productivity in therapy practices.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, 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 $93,104 for physical therapistsin the Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills 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