Physical Therapist Salary in New Orleans, LA: $103,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in New Orleans, LA earns a median $103,003/year (≈ $49.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in New Orleans's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $111,238 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in New Orleans can expect a median annual salary of $103,003 according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $105,288, reflecting a 2.17% difference attributable to local market factors. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $61,630 at the 10th percentile to $126,948 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diversity in compensation based on experience, specialization, and practice setting. With productivity pressure increasing in today's healthcare environment, effective hourly compensation hinges on the number of patient visits per day, making efficiency as crucial as expertise for maximizing earnings in this vibrant city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,634 | $39.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,003 | $49.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,595 | $53.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,948 | $61.04 |
Median Salary Position
2.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Orleans
In New Orleans, LA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,318 (2026 est.). At $103,003, the local median is 2.17% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in New Orleans: You'd be above the median
How New Orleans Physical Therapist Pay Compares
New Orleans median: $103,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Orleans Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $101,381 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.17% less |
Physical Therapists in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $103,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.17% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.60% above the Louisiana state average of $101,381.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Orleans has a cost of living 7.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.597 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,003 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,238 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,390
2025 BLS Actual
$100,530
2026 Current Est.
$103,003
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 17.7% from $85,390 (2019) to $100,530 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,147 (23.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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) | $61,630 – $82,634 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,634 – $103,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,003 – $110,595 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,595 – $126,948 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in New Orleans
In New Orleans, the local job market supports approximately 710 physical therapists, making it a competitive arena for job seekers. The cost-of-living index of 92.597, slightly below the national average, offers a favorable backdrop for take-home pay, enabling professionals to stretch their salaries further than in higher-cost cities. Outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI and Athletico often provide competitive packages, albeit with tougher productivity expectations, while hospital systems may offer more stability and benefits. Variations in compensation arise from factors such as board certifications like the OCS or SCS, productivity models that favor high volume, and the appeal of cash-pay practice options that can enhance earnings. For those aiming to maximize their physical therapist pay in New Orleans, pursuing specialization, enhancing clinical skills, and selecting employment settings wisely can lead to increased income potential in this dynamic healthcare market.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
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 $100,530 for physical therapistsin the New Orleans 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