Physical Therapist Salary in Gulfport, MS: $104,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Gulfport, MS earns a median $104,376/year (≈ $50.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.0), that paycheck buys what $115,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.7% above the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gulfport, Mississippi, physical therapists earn a median annual salary of $104,376, which closely aligns with the national median of $105,288. The projected salary range for 2026 spans from $76,476 at the lower end (P10) to $129,673 at the higher end (P90). These figures originate from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting the dynamics of the local healthcare market. The earnings of physical therapists in Gulfport can vary significantly based on their employment setting, whether in outpatient chains, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities, with outpatient clinics often offering different compensation structures influenced by productivity targets and bonuses.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,476 | $36.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,714 | $40.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,376 | $50.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,231 | $53.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,673 | $62.35 |
Median Salary Position
0.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,197 (2026 est.). At $104,376, the local median is 0.87% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be above the median
How Gulfport Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $104,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $90,213 | +15.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.87% less |
Physical Therapists in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $104,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.87% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 15.70% above the Mississippi state average of $90,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 9.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 90.006 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $104,376 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,966 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,240
2025 BLS Actual
$101,870
2026 Current Est.
$104,376
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 30.2% from $78,240 (2019) to $101,870 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,704 (36.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport 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) | $76,476 – $84,714 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,714 – $104,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,376 – $111,231 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,231 – $129,673 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Gulfport
The job market in Gulfport includes approximately 310 physical therapists, providing a solid foundation for those entering the field. With a cost-of-living index of 90.006, salaries in Gulfport stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to national averages. Outpatient orthopedic clinics like ATI or Athletico tend to pay less than larger hospital systems, yet they may offer bonuses tied to patient volume and productivity. Factors such as board certifications or ownership stakes in clinics can further increase earnings, leading to a wide pay disparity. For physical therapists looking to maximize their income in Gulfport, pursuing specialized certifications like OCS or SCS, considering cash-pay models, and optimizing productivity can be effective strategies to enhance overall compensation in this competitive market.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
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 $101,870 for physical therapistsin the Gulfport 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