Physical Therapist Salary in Pearl, MS: $89,377 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Pearl, MS earns a median $89,377/year (≈ $42.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Pearl's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $104,291 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pearl, Mississippi, the projected median annual salary for physical therapists in 2026 is $89,377, marking a significant variance of about 15.11% below the national median of $105,288. The local salary range reflects this disparity, with entry-level positions starting around $68,561 and the top 10% earning as much as $111,330. These salary figures are built on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living. The trend towards cash-pay models, particularly in sports and orthopedic specialties, is influencing top-end salaries, suggesting that therapists who can deliver quality, high-demand services may find greater compensation potential in Pearl’s evolving healthcare market.
About the Pearl Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,561 | $32.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,239 | $36.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,377 | $42.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,541 | $49.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,330 | $53.53 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl
In Pearl, MS, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,769 (2026 est.). At $89,377, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearl: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pearl Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Pearl median: $89,377/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearl Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $90,189 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -15.11% less |
Physical Therapists in Pearl, MS earn a median of $89,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.90% below the Mississippi state average of $90,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearl 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.
Pearl, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $89,377 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,291 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,924
2025 BLS Actual
$87,231
2026 Current Est.
$89,377
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Pearl (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,924 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,257 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,953 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,642 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,231 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,377 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearl metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $75,924 (2019) to $87,231 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,652 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl 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) | $68,561 – $75,239 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,239 – $89,377 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,377 – $102,541 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,541 – $111,330 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Pearl
At present, there are six physical therapists employed in the Pearl area, which signifies a relatively small local job market capacity. The cost of living index in Pearl stands at 85.7, indicating that while salaries are lower than the national average, the purchasing power for residents may be more favorable. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, especially private practices like Athletico or larger health systems offering incentives, typically pay the most. Factors influencing the disparity in salaries include productivity expectations, such as units per visit or daily patient throughput, along with additional compensation for board certifications and the choice between cash-pay or insurance reimbursement models. For those looking to enhance their financial outlook, gaining specialized certifications, focusing on high-value clinical settings, and strategically choosing practice models can maximize physical therapist pay in Pearl, MS.
More salary data for Pearl, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Pearl, MS in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Pearl?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Pearl?
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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 $87,231 for physical therapistsin the Pearl 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 Pearl 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