Physical Therapist Salary in Maine: $103,237 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $103,237/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $103,652 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($102,820), South Portland ($102,380), Lewiston ($98,300).
In 2026, physical therapists in Maine can expect an average median salary of $103,238, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288, representing a difference of -1.9%. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Portland offering the highest average salary at $105,349, and Bangor at the lower end with $96,835, resulting in a salary gap of $8,514. This variation can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and local economic conditions. Maine has specific state licensing requirements that physical therapists must navigate, including passing a national exam and meeting state educational standards. The scope of practice laws in Maine allow physical therapists to perform various therapeutic procedures, contributing to the growing demand for their services. Notably, the job market is projected to grow at a rate of 2.46%, indicating a steady increase in employment opportunities for physical therapists in the state. Major cities driving employment include South Portland at $104,899, Lewiston at $100,718, Auburn at $100,689, and Scarborough at $100,053. Overall, the outlook for physical therapy jobs in Maine remains positive, reflecting both an increasing need for healthcare services and ongoing support for rehabilitation practices.
Maine Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $76,358 (lowest entry-level) to $135,661 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine physical therapists earn 1.95% less than the national median ($-2,051/year difference).
Maine Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Maine range from $81,758 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $124,329 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,237. The Maine median is $2,051 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $49.63/hr. Approximately 1,265 physical therapists are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,599
2025 BLS Actual
$100,759
2026 Current Est.
$103,237
2019–2027 Growth
+32.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,599 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,508 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,264 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,759 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,237 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 26.6% from $79,599 (2019) to $100,759 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,178 (32.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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 Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $100,718 | 94.736 | $106,314 |
| South Portland | $104,899 | 99.6 | $105,320 |
| Portland | $105,349 | 101.858 | $103,427 |
| Auburn | $100,689 | 99.6 | $101,093 |
| Scarborough | $100,053 | 99.6 | $100,455 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,758 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,237 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $124,329 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $105,349 |
| 2 | South Portland | $104,899 |
| 3 | Lewiston | $100,718 |
| 4 | Auburn | $100,689 |
| 5 | Scarborough | $100,053 |
| 6 | Biddeford | $99,217 |
| 7 | Augusta | $98,886 |
| 8 | Sanford | $97,964 |
| 9 | Brunswick | $97,041 |
| 10 | Bangor | $96,835 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Maine cities.
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 Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Maine?
How does Maine physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Maine?
How many physical therapists are employed in Maine?
Which Maine 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 Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 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