Physical Therapist Salary in Lafayette, LA: $86,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Lafayette, LA earns a median $86,415/year (≈ $41.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $99,090 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, physical therapist salaries reflect a diverse array of opportunities shaped by various employment settings, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. With a median annual salary projected at $86,415 for 2026, local professionals typically earn between $55,626 and $126,251 annually. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight the substantial earnings potential in the field, though Lafayette's pay lags 17.93% behind the national median of $105,288. While outpatient chains, which have proliferated in recent years, often offer lower starting salaries, they may provide productivity bonuses that can enhance overall compensation, making the job market here quite competitive.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,626 | $26.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,966 | $28.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,415 | $41.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,649 | $52.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,251 | $60.70 |
Median Salary Position
17.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,625 (2026 est.). At $86,415, the local median is 17.93% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $86,415/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $101,307 | -14.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -17.93% less |
Physical Therapists in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $86,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.93% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 14.70% below the Louisiana state average of $101,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $86,415 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,090 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,480
2025 BLS Actual
$84,340
2026 Current Est.
$86,415
2019–2027 Growth
+6.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 1.0% from $83,480 (2019) to $84,340 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,061 (6.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $55,626 – $58,966 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,966 – $86,415 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,415 – $108,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,649 – $126,251 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Lafayette
The local job market for physical therapists in Lafayette is buoyed by 290 professionals currently practicing, offering a range of employment prospects. The cost of living index stands at 87.209, which indicates a lower financial burden compared to national averages, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Generally, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to pay less than hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs, where salaries can be more favorable due to higher funding and resources. The difference in earnings within the profession arises from factors such as productivity expectations, the presence of board-certified specialists (OCS, SCS), and the evolving trend of cash-pay versus insurance practices. For physical therapists looking to maximize their earnings in Lafayette, focusing on specialty certifications, exploring high-opportunity employer settings, and understanding reimbursement models will be critical in navigating the local market.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Lafayette, LA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Lafayette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Lafayette?
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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 $84,340 for physical therapistsin the Lafayette 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