Physical Therapist Salary in Missouri: $102,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $102,052/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,897 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Independence ($101,779), Kansas City ($101,270), St. Peters ($101,035).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in Missouri is projected to be $102,052, slightly below the national median of $105,288, reflecting a 3.1% salary gap. The highest-paying city in the state is Independence, offering $104,283, whereas Columbia has the lowest pay at $85,370, resulting in a salary difference of $18,913. This disparity can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local competition among providers. Missouri's state licensing requirements include a doctorate in physical therapy, passing the National Physical Therapy Exam, and fulfilling continuing education obligations. The scope of practice laws allow physical therapists to evaluate and treat patients, which can influence job demand and salary levels. In Missouri, the total employment for physical therapists is projected to be 5,812, with an annual growth rate of 2.46%. Cities with higher populations and healthcare facilities often experience greater demand for physical therapists, contributing to higher salary averages in those areas. The overall job market for physical therapists in Missouri shows steady growth, promising continued opportunities for professionals in this field.
Missouri Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $42,736 (lowest entry-level) to $144,948 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri physical therapists earn 3.07% less than the national median ($-3,236/year difference).
Missouri Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Missouri range from $77,395 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $127,234 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $102,052. The Missouri median is $3,236 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $49.07/hr. Approximately 5,812 physical therapists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$83,534
2025 BLS Actual
$99,602
2026 Current Est.
$102,052
2019–2027 Growth
+25.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,588 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,856 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,559 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,023 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,563 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.2% from $83,534 (2019) to $99,602 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,563 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,029 (25.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin | $102,614 | 85.718 | $119,711 |
| Cape Girardeau | $102,890 | 86.078 | $119,531 |
| St. Joseph | $101,753 | 86.382 | $117,794 |
| Independence | $104,283 | 89.6 | $116,387 |
| St. Peters | $103,520 | 89.6 | $115,536 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $77,395 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $102,052 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $127,234 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence | $104,283 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $103,761 |
| 3 | St. Peters | $103,520 |
| 4 | St. Charles | $103,327 |
| 5 | St. Louis | $103,075 |
| 6 | Cape Girardeau | $102,890 |
| 7 | Joplin | $102,614 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $102,129 |
| 9 | St. Joseph | $101,753 |
| 10 | Florissant | $101,594 |
| 11 | Wildwood | $101,372 |
| 12 | Kirkwood | $101,342 |
| 13 | Lee's Summit | $101,286 |
| 14 | Chesterfield | $101,270 |
| 15 | University City | $100,740 |
| 16 | Liberty | $100,700 |
| 17 | Grandview | $100,526 |
| 18 | Jefferson City | $100,483 |
| 19 | Maryland Heights | $100,359 |
| 20 | Springfield | $99,663 |
| 21 | Blue Springs | $99,223 |
| 22 | Raytown | $98,630 |
| 23 | Webster Groves | $98,138 |
| 24 | Sedalia | $98,107 |
| 25 | Ballwin | $97,932 |
| 26 | Nixa | $97,923 |
| 27 | Gladstone | $97,663 |
| 28 | Wentzville | $97,433 |
| 29 | Belton | $96,610 |
| 30 | Branson | $94,957 |
| 31 | Raymore | $94,596 |
| 32 | Hannibal | $94,289 |
| 33 | Columbia | $85,370 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Missouri?
How does Missouri physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Missouri?
How many physical therapists are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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