Physical Therapist Salary in Maryland: $108,746 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $108,746/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $99,493 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($113,876), Gaithersburg ($113,137), Germantown ($113,057).
In Maryland, physical therapist salaries are currently projected to be slightly above the national average, with an employment-weighted average median salary of $108,746 compared to the national median of $105,288, marking an increase of 3.3%. The highest paying city in the state is Aspen Hill, where physical therapists can expect to earn $116,677, while Hagerstown sits at the lower end with a salary of $103,095. This $13,582 difference is influenced by factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Maryland has specific licensing requirements, and physical therapists must adhere to the state's scope of practice laws, which can impact job responsibilities and opportunities. The demand for physical therapists is driven by an aging population, increased emphasis on rehabilitation, and a growing awareness of physical health. With a total of 2,693 physical therapists employed in the state, the job market exhibits a growth rate of 2.46% annually, indicating a steady outlook for the profession. Cities such as Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Ellicott City are projected to also offer salaries relatively close to Aspen Hill, ranging from $115,456 to $115,920, further reflecting the positive growth trend in this field.
Maryland Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $73,720 (lowest entry-level) to $155,001 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland physical therapists earn 3.28% more than the national median (+$3,458/year difference).
Maryland Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Maryland range from $80,743 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $142,380 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $108,746. The Maryland median is $3,458 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $52.28/hr. Approximately 2,693 physical therapists are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$92,636
2025 BLS Actual
$106,135
2026 Current Est.
$108,746
2019–2027 Growth
+20.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,636 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,151 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,626 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,039 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,719 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,577 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,746 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,421 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.6% from $92,636 (2019) to $106,135 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,785 (20.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $103,095 |
| Cumberland | $106,518 |
| Towson | $107,992 |
| Baltimore | $108,413 |
| Greenbelt | $108,958 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | $109,929 | 95.617 | $114,968 |
| Lexington Park | $114,530 | 100.76 | $113,666 |
| Hagerstown | $103,095 | 94.171 | $109,476 |
| Aspen Hill | $116,677 | 109.3 | $106,749 |
| Gaithersburg | $115,920 | 109.3 | $106,057 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,743 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $108,746 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $142,380 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $116,677 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $115,920 |
| 3 | Germantown | $115,838 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $115,574 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $115,456 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $115,064 |
| 7 | Lexington Park | $114,530 |
| 8 | Bowie | $114,517 |
| 9 | Glen Burnie | $114,162 |
| 10 | Frederick | $112,585 |
| 11 | Annapolis | $112,561 |
| 12 | Severn | $112,557 |
| 13 | College Park | $112,337 |
| 14 | Rockville | $112,193 |
| 15 | Silver Spring | $112,138 |
| 16 | Potomac | $111,606 |
| 17 | Bethesda | $111,154 |
| 18 | Dundalk | $111,154 |
| 19 | Odenton | $110,775 |
| 20 | Columbia | $110,369 |
| 21 | Salisbury | $109,929 |
| 22 | Catonsville | $109,873 |
| 23 | Laurel | $109,319 |
| 24 | Greenbelt | $108,958 |
| 25 | Baltimore | $108,413 |
| 26 | Towson | $107,992 |
| 27 | Cumberland | $106,518 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $103,095 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Maryland 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 Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Maryland?
How does Maryland physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Maryland?
How many physical therapists are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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