Physical Therapist Salary in Georgia: $104,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 40 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $104,665/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $112,422 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dalton ($109,710), Sandy Springs ($105,463), Macon ($104,500).
In Georgia, the projected average median salary for physical therapists in 2026 is $104,665, slightly below the national median of $105,288 by 0.6%. The highest paying city in the state is Dalton, where salaries are expected to reach $112,409, while Warner Robins has the lowest at $87,696. This salary gap of $24,713 can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and local healthcare market dynamics. Georgia's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws influence the profession, ensuring therapists are well-trained and qualified to meet patient needs. The demand for physical therapy services is driven by an aging population, an increase in sports-related injuries, and a growing emphasis on rehabilitation and preventive care. With a total of 6,123 physical therapists employed in Georgia, the job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.46%. This growth rate indicates a steady demand for qualified professionals, making it essential for aspiring therapists to pursue additional certifications and specialized training to enhance their job prospects and potential earnings in this competitive field. Cities like Sandy Springs, Macon, Rome, and Atlanta follow Dalton in salary, providing various opportunities across the state.
Georgia Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $61,199 (lowest entry-level) to $140,902 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia physical therapists earn 0.59% less than the national median ($-623/year difference).
Georgia Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Georgia range from $81,277 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $133,630 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,665. The Georgia median is $623 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $50.32/hr. Approximately 6,123 physical therapists are employed across 40 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,383
2025 BLS Actual
$102,152
2026 Current Est.
$104,665
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,383 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,704 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,897 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,364 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,365 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.6% from $85,383 (2019) to $102,152 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,856 (25.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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 Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Warner Robins | $87,696 |
| Gainesville | $94,294 |
| Griffin | $96,183 |
| Canton | $98,010 |
| Tucker | $98,243 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton | $112,409 | 89.844 | $125,116 |
| Macon | $107,071 | 88.528 | $120,946 |
| Brunswick | $105,800 | 87.708 | $120,628 |
| Rome | $106,261 | 90.161 | $117,857 |
| Sandy Springs | $108,057 | 93.1 | $116,066 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,277 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,665 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $133,630 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 40 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalton | $112,409 |
| 2 | Sandy Springs | $108,057 |
| 3 | Macon | $107,071 |
| 4 | Rome | $106,261 |
| 5 | Atlanta | $105,985 |
| 6 | Brunswick | $105,800 |
| 7 | Alpharetta | $104,453 |
| 8 | South Fulton | $104,332 |
| 9 | Athens | $104,069 |
| 10 | Roswell | $103,581 |
| 11 | Savannah | $103,403 |
| 12 | Brookhaven | $103,396 |
| 13 | Lawrenceville | $102,679 |
| 14 | Statesboro | $102,568 |
| 15 | Woodstock | $102,447 |
| 16 | Stockbridge | $102,295 |
| 17 | Pooler | $102,151 |
| 18 | Marietta | $101,521 |
| 19 | Peachtree Corners | $101,508 |
| 20 | Johns Creek | $101,071 |
| 21 | Columbus | $100,718 |
| 22 | Albany | $100,605 |
| 23 | Hinesville | $100,497 |
| 24 | Evans | $100,296 |
| 25 | Douglasville | $100,201 |
| 26 | Dunwoody | $100,195 |
| 27 | Smyrna | $100,088 |
| 28 | McDonough | $99,663 |
| 29 | Augusta | $99,653 |
| 30 | Newnan | $99,502 |
| 31 | Milton | $99,462 |
| 32 | Valdosta | $99,437 |
| 33 | Kennesaw | $98,716 |
| 34 | Cartersville | $98,493 |
| 35 | Peachtree City | $98,491 |
| 36 | Tucker | $98,243 |
| 37 | Canton | $98,010 |
| 38 | Griffin | $96,183 |
| 39 | Gainesville | $94,294 |
| 40 | Warner Robins | $87,696 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Georgia?
How does Georgia physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Georgia?
How many physical therapists are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia 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 Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 40 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