Physical Therapist Salary in Jackson, MI: $106,558 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Jackson, MI earns a median $106,558/year (≈ $51.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $116,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Jackson, MI, can expect a projected median annual salary of $106,558, reflecting a competitive position in the local job market. With a salary range extending from $83,239 at the 10th percentile to $133,454 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate diverse earning potentials based on factors like experience and specialization. As derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, the salary figures highlight the significance of productivity expectations within the therapy environment, with local therapists often navigating a demanding patient load to meet financial and operational targets. This context reveals how compensation aligns with market pressures, urging a focus on broader earning strategies in Jackson's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,239 | $40.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,108 | $48.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,558 | $51.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,933 | $55.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,454 | $64.16 |
Median Salary Position
1.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,215 (2026 est.). At $106,558, the local median is 1.21% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Jackson median: $106,558/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $104,163 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +1.21% more |
Physical Therapists in Jackson, MI earn a median of $106,558 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.30% above the Michigan state average of $104,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 8.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.779 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $106,558 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,103 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.96% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,360
2025 BLS Actual
$104,000
2026 Current Est.
$106,558
2019–2027 Growth
+6.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,558 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,180 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 1.6% from $102,360 (2019) to $104,000 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,180 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,820 (6.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $83,239 – $101,108 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,108 – $106,558 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,558 – $115,933 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,933 – $133,454 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Jackson
The Jackson area currently employs around 90 physical therapists, creating a relatively stable job market, especially given the cost-of-living index of 91.779. This index suggests a below-average cost environment, positively impacting take-home purchasing power for therapists. Among the local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as ATI and Athletico often offer competitive salaries but might connect pay more closely to productivity metrics and bonuses for performance. Conversely, hospital settings and skilled nursing facilities may provide higher baseline compensation, albeit with different productivity models. The disparity between low and high pay can be attributed to factors such as specialty certifications (like OCS or SCS), patient visit quotas, and the shift towards cash-pay models versus traditional insurance practices. For optimal earnings, physical therapists in Jackson should consider pursuing board specialties, maximizing productivity, and exploring diverse practice settings to enhance their overall pay in a competitive market.
More salary data for Jackson, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Jackson, MI in 2026?
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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 $104,000 for physical therapistsin the Jackson 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