Physical Therapist Salary in Meridian, MS: $85,540 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Meridian, MS earns a median $85,540/year (≈ $41.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $99,813 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Meridian, Mississippi, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $85,540, which falls significantly below the national median of $105,288. The local salary range spans from $66,758 at the 10th percentile to $107,360 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied compensation based on experience, specialization, and employment setting. These earnings are influenced by expectations regarding patient productivity, as practitioners often need to manage a high volume of patient visits daily to meet financial benchmarks. With the projected growth rate of 2.46% for the role within the next five years, the demand for skilled physical therapists in Meridian remains strong, despite the pressures of a competitive healthcare environment.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,758 | $32.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,651 | $34.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,540 | $41.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,827 | $47.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,360 | $51.62 |
Median Salary Position
18.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, MS, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,602 (2026 est.). At $85,540, the local median is 18.76% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Meridian median: $85,540/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $90,232 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -18.76% less |
Physical Therapists in Meridian, MS earn a median of $85,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.76% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.20% below the Mississippi state average of $90,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian 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.
Meridian, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $85,540 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,813 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,664
2025 BLS Actual
$83,486
2026 Current Est.
$85,540
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,664 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,685 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,008 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,119 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,540 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $72,664 (2019) to $83,486 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,980 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $66,758 – $72,651 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,651 – $85,540 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,540 – $98,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,827 – $107,360 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Meridian
Seven physical therapists currently practice in Meridian, MS, a figure that reflects a relatively limited job market. The cost of living index stands at 85.7, indicating that while salaries are lower in comparison to national averages, the local purchasing power can be more favorable. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly larger chains like ATI and Athletico, often offer the most competitive compensation packages but may require higher productivity standards. Variability in salaries may also result from factors such as board certification bonuses, equity options in private practice, and the choice between cash-pay versus insurance-reimbursement models. Physical therapists aiming to maximize their compensation in Meridian should consider pursuing advanced board certifications (like OCS or SCS), increasing their clinical efficiencies, and exploring roles that allow for greater autonomy in practice settings.
More salary data for Meridian, 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 $83,486 for physical therapistsin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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