Physical Therapist Salary in Atlanta, GA: $105,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Atlanta, GA earns a median $105,985/year (≈ $50.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $105,924 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Atlanta is projected to reach a median of $105,985, slightly higher than the national median of $105,288. Salaries within the city range from $83,279 at the lower end to $135,350 for the top earners, reflecting a competitive pay structure influenced by the type of employment setting. Physical therapists employed in outpatient clinics, particularly chains like ATI and Athletico, may often see lower base salaries compared to those within hospital systems, but they can earn additional compensation through productivity bonuses. The data derives from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, illustrating Atlanta's growing role as a robust market for physical therapy professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,279 | $40.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,364 | $41.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,985 | $50.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,628 | $59.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,350 | $65.07 |
Median Salary Position
0.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,071 (2026 est.). At $105,985, the local median is 0.66% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlanta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Atlanta Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $105,985/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $103,400 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.66% more |
Physical Therapists in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $105,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.50% above the Georgia state average of $103,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,985 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,924 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,670
2025 BLS Actual
$103,440
2026 Current Est.
$105,985
2019–2027 Growth
+25.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.3% from $86,670 (2019) to $103,440 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,922 (25.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $83,279 – $86,364 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,364 – $105,985 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,985 – $123,628 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,628 – $135,350 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Atlanta
Atlanta's job market for physical therapists is strong, with around 4,250 professionals currently employed. The area's cost of living index is slightly above the national average at 100.058, affecting the purchasing power of physical therapist pay in Atlanta, GA. Among various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer less base pay, while hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to provide higher salaries due to the complexities involved in acute care. Factors driving the salary range include clinic ownership equity, the viability of cash-paying versus insurance-covered models, and an increasing expectation for productivity measured by units per visit and total visits per day. To optimize earnings in this market, physical therapists should consider pursuing board specialization certifications, like the OCS or SCS, and seek opportunities in settings that value these qualifications, thus enhancing their overall compensation.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Atlanta, GA in 2026?
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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 $103,440 for physical therapistsin the Atlanta 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