Physical Therapist Salary in Idaho: $98,207 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $98,207/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $103,050 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boise City ($100,120), Boise ($96,493), Nampa ($95,762).
When considering a career as a physical therapist in Idaho, it’s important to note that the 2026 average median salary is projected to be $98,207, which is 6.7% lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Boise City leading at $102,583, while Pocatello offers the lowest average at $84,714, indicating a salary gap of $17,869. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas like Boise. Idaho's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are relatively standard, aligning with national norms. The demand for physical therapists is driven by an aging population and a growing emphasis on rehabilitation services, contributing to an annual growth rate of 2.46%. Overall, with a total of 903 employed physical therapists across 16 metro areas, the job market shows promising stability and potential for career advancement. The top cities for employment prospects include Boise City, Boise, Nampa, Coeur d'Alene, and Caldwell, offering competitive salaries and opportunities for professional growth.
Idaho Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $68,123 (lowest entry-level) to $133,689 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho physical therapists earn 6.73% less than the national median ($-7,081/year difference).
Idaho Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Idaho range from $76,714 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $125,083 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $98,207. The Idaho median is $7,081 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $47.21/hr. Approximately 903 physical therapists are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$80,203
2025 BLS Actual
$95,849
2026 Current Est.
$98,207
2019–2027 Growth
+25.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Idaho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,746 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,382 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,802 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,876 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,849 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,207 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.5% from $80,203 (2019) to $95,849 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,420 (25.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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 Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pocatello | $84,714 |
| Mountain Home | $89,933 |
| Eagle | $90,828 |
| Post Falls | $91,678 |
| Lewiston | $91,723 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | $102,583 | 98.391 | $104,261 |
| Boise | $98,867 | 95.3 | $103,743 |
| Twin Falls | $95,380 | 92.108 | $103,552 |
| Nampa | $98,118 | 95.3 | $102,957 |
| Caldwell | $96,130 | 95.3 | $100,871 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $76,714 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $98,207 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $125,083 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise City | $102,583 |
| 2 | Boise | $98,867 |
| 3 | Nampa | $98,118 |
| 4 | Coeur d'Alene | $97,655 |
| 5 | Caldwell | $96,130 |
| 6 | Meridian | $95,737 |
| 7 | Twin Falls | $95,380 |
| 8 | Rexburg | $94,483 |
| 9 | Idaho Falls | $94,376 |
| 10 | Moscow | $92,996 |
| 11 | Kuna | $92,241 |
| 12 | Lewiston | $91,723 |
| 13 | Post Falls | $91,678 |
| 14 | Eagle | $90,828 |
| 15 | Mountain Home | $89,933 |
| 16 | Pocatello | $84,714 |
More Idaho 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 Idaho in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Idaho?
How does Idaho physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Idaho?
How many physical therapists are employed in Idaho?
Which Idaho 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 Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 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