Physical Therapist Salary in Cartersville, GA: $98,493 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Cartersville, GA earns a median $98,493/year (≈ $47.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Cartersville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $105,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Cartersville, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $98,493, which is approximately 6.45% below the national average of $105,288. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $77,080 at the tenth percentile (P10) to $117,439 at the ninetieth percentile (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment Statistics data projected to 2026, reflect regional price adjustments that inform local compensation. Given the competitive nature of healthcare, the pressure of productivity expectations often shapes how effectively therapists can leverage their earnings through patient visits per day, emphasizing the need for efficiency in practice management in Cartersville’s healthcare market.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,270 | $40.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,493 | $47.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,340 | $53.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,439 | $56.47 |
Median Salary Position
6.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cartersville
In Cartersville, GA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,359 (2026 est.). At $98,493, the local median is 6.45% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cartersville: You'd be above the median
How Cartersville Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Cartersville median: $98,493/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cartersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $103,350 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -6.45% less |
Physical Therapists in Cartersville, GA earn a median of $98,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.45% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $103,350.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cartersville has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cartersville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $98,493 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,668
2025 BLS Actual
$96,128
2026 Current Est.
$98,493
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,668 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,136 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,449 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,413 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,275 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,585 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,493 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cartersville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $83,668 (2019) to $96,128 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,248 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cartersville 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) | $77,080 – $83,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,270 – $98,493 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,493 – $110,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,340 – $117,439 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Cartersville
Currently, there are four physical therapists employed in Cartersville, indicating a niche market with potential for growth. The cost of living in the area is indexed at 93.1, suggesting that salaries might stretch further than in more expensive regions, although it still presents challenges for take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics like ATI and Athletico typically offer competitive compensation packages, even if they emphasize productivity. Variations in earnings often arise from differing expectations in patient visits, the impact of specialized board certifications like OCS and SCS, and the choice between cash-pay and insurance practices. To maximize their pay, physical therapists in Cartersville should consider enhancing their qualifications, understanding local productivity metrics, and exploring opportunities for clinic ownership or equity arrangements to better navigate this evolving market landscape.
More salary data for Cartersville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Cartersville, GA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Cartersville?
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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 $96,128 for physical therapistsin the Cartersville 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
Salary data for Cartersville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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