Physical Therapist Salary in Emporia, KS: $88,356 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Emporia, KS earns a median $88,356/year (≈ $42.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $97,201 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 median annual physical therapist salary in Emporia, Kansas, is projected to be $88,356, representing a significant variance compared to the national median of $105,288. Salaries for physical therapists in this region range from $71,975 at the P10 to $111,292 at the P90, reflecting the diverse employment opportunities in local healthcare facilities. Typically, outpatient orthopedic clinics, whether private practices or larger chains like ATI and Athletico, may offer compensation packages at the lower end due to their high productivity demands. In contrast, hospital settings and skilled nursing facilities tend to provide higher salaries but often come with different work structures and expectations, resulting in varied compensation models that professionals should consider when seeking employment in Emporia.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,975 | $34.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,757 | $36.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,356 | $42.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,924 | $49.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,292 | $53.50 |
Median Salary Position
16.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,317 (2026 est.). At $88,356, the local median is 16.08% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Emporia median: $88,356/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $95,727 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -16.08% less |
Physical Therapists in Emporia, KS earn a median of $88,356 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $95,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $88,356 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,201 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,057
2025 BLS Actual
$86,235
2026 Current Est.
$88,356
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,057 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,375 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,243 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,005 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,675 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,848 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,235 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,356 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $75,057 (2019) to $86,235 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,473 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $71,975 – $76,757 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,757 – $88,356 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,356 – $102,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,924 – $111,292 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Emporia
The job market for physical therapists in Emporia remains concentrated, with just five therapists currently employed in the area, suggesting a competitive environment. Given the local cost-of-living index of 90.9, professionals may find their purchasing power somewhat limited, making salary negotiations even more crucial. Among the facilities, outpatient orthopedic clinics often pay less compared to hospitals or specialized rehabilitation centers, mainly due to differing productivity expectations and reimbursement models. To optimize earnings, physical therapists should consider enhancing their qualifications through board certifications such as OCS or SCS, exploring cash-pay models, and focusing on high-demand specialty areas. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring PTs determine how to maximize their physical therapist pay in Emporia, KS, while navigating their career paths effectively.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $86,235 for physical therapistsin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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