Physical Therapist Salary in Topeka, KS: $99,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Topeka, KS earns a median $99,970/year (≈ $48.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Topeka's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $112,553 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Topeka, Kansas, the 2026 median annual salary for physical therapists is projected to be $99,970, slightly below the national median of $105,288. This figure reflects the growing trend towards cash-pay services within the sports and orthopedic specializations, which can inflate top-end wages. Salary ranges in Topeka vary significantly: the lowest earning potential sits at $75,298 while high-end professionals can earn up to $127,768. Such figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports, indicate that while the overall market is competitive, the local landscape offers varied opportunities and compensation packages for those skilled in outpatient orthopedic settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,298 | $36.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,382 | $42.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,292 | $55.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,768 | $61.42 |
Median Salary Position
5.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
In Topeka, KS, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,470 (2026 est.). At $99,970, the local median is 5.05% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Topeka: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Topeka Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Topeka median: $99,970/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Topeka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $95,665 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.05% less |
Physical Therapists in Topeka, KS earn a median of $99,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.05% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.50% above the Kansas state average of $95,665.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Topeka has a cost of living 11.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Topeka, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,970 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,553 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.59% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,590
2025 BLS Actual
$97,570
2026 Current Est.
$99,970
2019–2027 Growth
+11.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,429 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Topeka metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 6.5% from $91,590 (2019) to $97,570 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,429 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,839 (11.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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) | $75,298 – $88,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,382 – $99,970 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,970 – $116,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,292 – $127,768 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Topeka
Examining the local job market, Topeka is home to approximately 190 physical therapists, a modest figure that suggests healthy competition for positions. With a cost-of-living index of 88.82, professionals may find their take-home pay affords a comfortable lifestyle, albeit on a regional scale. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, including prominent chains like Athletico and ATI, typically offer the highest pay in the area, although hospital systems may provide more stable income levels with additional accommodations for board-certified therapists earning specialized stipends. Several factors contribute to the salary spread; increased productivity expectations, the opportunity for ownership equity in private practices, and a greater demand for cash-pay models drive higher compensation. For therapists looking to maximize their earnings in Topeka, focusing on productivity targets, achieving certifications like OCS or SCS, and exploring travel PT opportunities may present the best paths to higher compensation.
More salary data for Topeka, 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 $97,570 for physical therapistsin the Topeka 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