Physical Therapist Salary in Delaware: $101,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $101,234/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $99,542 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($107,597), Newark ($103,833), Bear ($100,150).
In Delaware, the projected average median salary for physical therapists in 2026 is $101,234, which is about 3.9% lower than the national median of $105,288. The highest-paying city in the state is Wilmington, where salaries can reach $110,244, while Middletown offers the lowest at $98,934. This salary gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of facilities that offer physical therapy services. Delaware requires physical therapists to have a state license, which involves completing an accredited program and passing the National Physical Therapy Examination. The demand for physical therapy services is driven by an aging population, increasing awareness of physical health, and a rising emphasis on rehabilitation and preventive care. With a job growth rate projected at 2.46%, the market outlook for physical therapists in Delaware remains steady. Currently, the total number of employed physical therapists in the state is approximately 212. Other cities like Newark and Bear show promising salaries of $106,387 and $102,614, respectively, reflecting regional variations and opportunities within different areas. Ultimately, Delaware offers a stable job market for aspiring physical therapists, although salaries may vary significantly based on location.
Delaware Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $77,654 (lowest entry-level) to $144,684 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware physical therapists earn 3.85% less than the national median ($-4,054/year difference).
Delaware Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Delaware range from $79,333 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $142,420 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,234. The Delaware median is $4,054 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $48.67/hr. Approximately 212 physical therapists are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$94,780
2025 BLS Actual
$98,803
2026 Current Est.
$101,234
2019–2027 Growth
+9.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,202 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,803 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 4.2% from $94,780 (2019) to $98,803 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,944 (9.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $98,934 |
| Smyrna | $99,200 |
| Dover | $100,677 |
| Bear | $102,614 |
| Newark | $106,387 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $110,244 | 101.7 | $108,401 |
| Newark | $106,387 | 101.7 | $104,609 |
| Dover | $100,677 | 97.507 | $103,251 |
| Bear | $102,614 | 101.7 | $100,899 |
| Smyrna | $99,200 | 101.7 | $97,542 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,333 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,234 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $142,420 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $110,244 |
| 2 | Newark | $106,387 |
| 3 | Bear | $102,614 |
| 4 | Dover | $100,677 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $99,200 |
| 6 | Middletown | $98,934 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Delaware?
How does Delaware physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Delaware?
How many physical therapists are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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