Physical Therapist Salary in Columbus, MS: $84,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Columbus, MS earns a median $84,848/year (≈ $40.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $99,006 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salary in Columbus, Mississippi, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $84,848, significantly lower than the national median of $105,288. The local salary range reflects varying levels of experience and workplace settings, with entry-level positions earning around $64,530 and experienced therapists seeing upwards of $101,807. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and regional economic factors, highlight the productivity pressures within the local market. Therapists in Columbus may need to meet high visit quotas to achieve competitive pay, underscoring the importance of effective patient management in this profession.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,530 | $31.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,625 | $36.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,848 | $40.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,702 | $46.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,807 | $48.95 |
Median Salary Position
19.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, MS, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,277 (2026 est.). At $84,848, the local median is 19.41% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $84,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $90,264 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -19.41% less |
Physical Therapists in Columbus, MS earn a median of $84,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.41% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $90,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $84,848 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,006 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,077
2025 BLS Actual
$82,811
2026 Current Est.
$84,848
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,077 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,342 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,057 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,749 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,353 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,528 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,811 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,935 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $72,077 (2019) to $82,811 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,935 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,858 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $64,530 – $75,625 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,625 – $84,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,848 – $95,702 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,702 – $101,807 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Columbus
A limited pool of six employed physical therapists suggests a niche local job market, with opportunities available primarily in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital systems. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, those in Columbus may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost areas, although they must remain competitive given the lower compensation compared to the national average. To maximize physical therapist pay in Columbus MS, professionals should consider enhancing their qualifications through board specialization, such as OCS or SCS certifications, which can lead to higher compensation. Additionally, productivity-driven roles often come with incentives that can further elevate earnings, along with exploring cash-pay models that may provide greater financial benefits compared to traditional insurance-based practices.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Columbus, MS in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Columbus?
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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 $82,811 for physical therapistsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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