Physical Therapist Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $99,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $99,653/year (≈ $47.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $116,241 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Hot Springs, Arkansas, reflect the local market's competitive nature, with the median annual income projected at $99,653. This figure falls short of the national median of $105,288, indicating a slightly lower compensation level in the region. The salary range for physical therapists spans from $78,341 at the 10th percentile to $123,434 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a wide disparity based on experience and workplace setting. These insights derive from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics' Office of Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, highlighting the industry's evolving compensation landscape in Hot Springs. Local healthcare providers face expectations for high productivity, which directly influences effective hourly compensation, making it vital for therapists to understand how their work output can maximize their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,341 | $37.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,626 | $41.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,653 | $47.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,530 | $52.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,434 | $59.34 |
Median Salary Position
5.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,093 (2026 est.). At $99,653, the local median is 5.35% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hot Springs Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $99,653/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $102,418 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.35% less |
Physical Therapists in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $99,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.35% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.70% below the Arkansas state average of $102,418.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,653 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,241 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,210
2025 BLS Actual
$97,260
2026 Current Est.
$99,653
2019–2027 Growth
+18.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,104 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 12.8% from $86,210 (2019) to $97,260 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,104 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,894 (18.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $78,341 – $85,626 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,626 – $99,653 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,653 – $109,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,530 – $123,434 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Hot Springs
The job market in Hot Springs currently employs 90 physical therapists, providing a snapshot of the opportunities available within the region. A cost of living index of 85.73 suggests that the relative affordability of Hot Springs allows for a greater purchasing power than in many larger cities. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital systems typically offer the highest salaries, but they can vary significantly based on productivity expectations, specialization, and practice models. Those who maintain board certifications such as OCS or SCS may command additional stipends, further pushing the salary range. Additionally, trends toward cash-pay practices could positively influence earnings for those able to attract clientele willing to pay out-of-pocket. To maximize income, physical therapists in Hot Springs should focus on enhancing productivity, pursuing advanced certifications, and considering positions in high-paying settings while maintaining awareness of the evolving reimbursement landscape impacting the industry.
More salary data for Hot Springs, AR:
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 $97,260 for physical therapistsin the Hot Springs 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