Physical Therapist Salary in Kalamazoo, MI: $100,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Kalamazoo, MI earns a median $100,329/year (≈ $48.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Kalamazoo's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.8), that paycheck buys what $105,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Kalamazoo, Michigan can expect a median annual salary of $100,329, slightly below the national median of $105,288. Salary figures here range from $80,790 at the lowest tier (P10) to $129,653 at the highest (P90), reflecting varying levels of experience and specialization within the field. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and illustrate the competitive nature of the local job market while underscoring the productivity expectations that shape compensation. Therapists in Kalamazoo often contend with pressure to achieve higher visits per day, which can directly influence their effective hourly compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,107 | $41.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,329 | $48.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,692 | $53.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,653 | $62.34 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kalamazoo
In Kalamazoo, MI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,863 (2026 est.). At $100,329, the local median is 4.71% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kalamazoo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kalamazoo Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Kalamazoo median: $100,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kalamazoo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $104,184 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.71% less |
Physical Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI earn a median of $100,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.70% below the Michigan state average of $104,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kalamazoo has a cost of living 5.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kalamazoo, MI has a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,329 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,788 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,310
2025 BLS Actual
$97,920
2026 Current Est.
$100,329
2019–2027 Growth
+12.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Kalamazoo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,797 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kalamazoo metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 7.2% from $91,310 (2019) to $97,920 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,797 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,487 (12.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kalamazoo 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) | $80,790 – $86,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,107 – $100,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,329 – $111,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,692 – $129,653 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Kalamazoo
The local employment scene shows that approximately 190 physical therapists practice in the area, navigating a relatively favorable cost of living index of 94.84 compared to the national average. This scenario means that although salaries may be lower than the national median, the purchasing power remains solid. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, including chains like ATI and Athletico, may offer competitive pay, especially when factoring in productivity bonuses. The pay spread in Kalamazoo often results from factors such as productivity expectations, board certifications (like OCS or SCS) adding stipends, and the business models—cash-pay practices tend to offer higher rates than insurance-based ones. To maximize earnings in this regional market, physical therapists should consider specializing further, exploring ownership opportunities, or pursuing positions in high-demand settings such as sports medicine or travel PT roles to enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Kalamazoo, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Kalamazoo, MI in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Kalamazoo?
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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 $97,920 for physical therapistsin the Kalamazoo 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