Physical Therapist Salary in Dalton, GA: $112,409 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Dalton, GA earns a median $112,409/year (≈ $54.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Dalton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.8), that paycheck buys what $125,116 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Dalton, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $112,409, which is approximately 6.76% higher than the national median of $105,288. This projection is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, and the anticipated salary range varies significantly from $78,577 at the 10th percentile to $130,882 at the 90th percentile. With a relatively low employment base of just 50 physical therapists in the area, the dynamics of productivity expectations and visits-per-day pressures play a crucial role in shaping compensation. As clinic owners seek to balance quality care with the financial realities of the healthcare system, those therapists who meet or exceed productivity metrics may find themselves at the higher end of the salary spectrum.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,577 | $37.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,196 | $43.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,409 | $54.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,409 | $54.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,882 | $62.92 |
Median Salary Position
6.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dalton
In Dalton, GA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,305 (2026 est.). At $112,409, the local median is 6.76% above the national median of $105,288.
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How Dalton Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Dalton median: $112,409/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dalton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $103,412 | +8.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +6.76% more |
Physical Therapists in Dalton, GA earn a median of $112,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.76% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 8.70% above the Georgia state average of $103,412.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dalton has a cost of living 10.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dalton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.844 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $112,409 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $125,116 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,720
2025 BLS Actual
$109,710
2026 Current Est.
$112,409
2019–2027 Growth
+19.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Dalton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,165 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,329 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,409 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,174 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dalton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 13.4% from $96,720 (2019) to $109,710 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,174 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,454 (19.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dalton 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) | $78,577 – $90,196 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,196 – $112,409 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,409 – $112,409 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,409 – $130,882 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Dalton
The local job market reflects a cost-of-living index of 89.844, which indicates that everyday expenses in Dalton are lower than the national average. This scenario translates into potentially higher take-home pay for physical therapists compared to many larger markets. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as chains like Athletico or private practices, generally pay less than hospital systems but may offer productivity bonuses to enhance compensation. The breadth of salaries is influenced by factors like expected units per visit, board certifications (such as OCS or SCS), practice ownership equity, and the choice between cash-pay models and insurance reimbursements. To maximize earnings in Dalton, physical therapists should consider pursuing additional certifications and potentially exploring opportunities that offer higher productivity expectations or transitioning to higher-paying employers like hospital inpatient rehab facilities.
More salary data for Dalton, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Dalton, GA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Dalton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Dalton?
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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 $109,710 for physical therapistsin the Dalton 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, 5-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