Physical Therapist Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $107,071 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $107,071/year (≈ $51.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $117,206 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $107,071 for physical therapists in Fayetteville, Arkansas, practitioners in this market can anticipate compensation that slightly exceeds the national average of $105,288. This reflects a competitive landscape, particularly when considering the broad salary range from $83,177 at the 10th percentile to $131,046 at the 90th percentile. Derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, these figures signify the financial potential for both seasoned professionals and new entrants. Given the expectations of productivity in outpatient settings, therapists are often under pressure to meet daily visit quotas, which directly influences their effective hourly compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,177 | $39.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,259 | $47.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,071 | $51.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,308 | $55.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,046 | $63.00 |
Median Salary Position
1.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,869 (2026 est.). At $107,071, the local median is 1.69% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be above the median
How Fayetteville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $107,071/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $102,362 | +4.60% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +1.69% more |
Physical Therapists in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $107,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.69% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 4.60% above the Arkansas state average of $102,362.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $107,071 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,206 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,440
2025 BLS Actual
$104,500
2026 Current Est.
$107,071
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,071 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,705 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 16.8% from $89,440 (2019) to $104,500 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,705 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,265 (22.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $83,177 – $98,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,259 – $107,071 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,071 – $115,308 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,308 – $131,046 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Fayetteville
Fayetteville's job market employs approximately 430 physical therapists, offering a solid foundation for both seasoned and entry-level professionals. The relatively low cost of living index of 91.353 indicates that take-home purchasing power is better than in many other regions, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle despite average income. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital systems are among the highest-paying opportunities, with potential for additional earnings through productivity bonuses or stipends for specialized board certifications like OCS or SCS. Productivity demands, including visits per day and the types of insurance utilized, significantly affect the salary spectrum. Strategies for maximizing physical therapist pay in Fayetteville AR include seeking roles within higher-paying settings, pursuing specialized certifications, and considering the growing trend toward cash-pay practices, which can further enhance earning potential without the constraints of insurance reimbursement models.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Fayetteville, AR in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Fayetteville?
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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 $104,500 for physical therapistsin the Fayetteville 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