Physical Therapist Salary in Dearborn, MI: $104,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Dearborn, MI earns a median $104,959/year (≈ $50.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Dearborn's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $112,617 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dearborn, Michigan, physical therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,959 in 2026. This salary is slightly below the national average of $105,288, but the local range is quite diverse, spanning from $80,888 at the 10th percentile to $142,274 at the 90th percentile. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost variations. As pressure mounts in the field for productivity, with increasing demands for visits-per-day, the effective hourly compensation reflects the challenges therapists face in meeting those expectations while also achieving their financial goals in the job market.
About the Dearborn Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,888 | $38.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,842 | $41.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,959 | $50.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,658 | $60.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,274 | $68.40 |
Median Salary Position
0.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dearborn
In Dearborn, MI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,386 (2026 est.). At $104,959, the local median is 0.31% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dearborn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dearborn Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Dearborn median: $104,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dearborn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $104,126 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.31% less |
Physical Therapists in Dearborn, MI earn a median of $104,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.31% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.80% above the Michigan state average of $104,126.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dearborn has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dearborn, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $104,959 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,617 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,161
2025 BLS Actual
$102,439
2026 Current Est.
$104,959
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Dearborn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,161 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,726 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,321 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,415 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,399 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,155 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,439 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dearborn metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $89,161 (2019) to $102,439 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,380 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dearborn 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) | $80,888 – $86,842 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,842 – $104,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,959 – $126,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,658 – $142,274 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Dearborn
The local job market for physical therapists in Dearborn is relatively small, with only 19 professionals currently employed in the area, indicating a tight-knit community of practitioners. The cost of living index stands at 93.2, suggesting that the purchasing power of physical therapist salaries in Dearborn can be more favorable compared to higher-cost regions. However, disparities in pay exist among different rehabilitation settings; outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico may provide less base salary than hospital systems but often include performance-based bonuses linked to productivity. Factors influencing the variance in pay can include the number of treatment sessions handled, the presence of board certifications such as Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), and whether practitioners operate in cash-based or insurance settings. For those in Dearborn looking to maximize earning potential, pursuing specialization credentials and exploring diverse employment opportunities in both private and healthcare system sectors may be effective strategies.
More salary data for Dearborn, MI:
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 $102,439 for physical therapistsin the Dearborn 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
Salary data for Dearborn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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