Physical Therapist Salary in Belton, MO: $96,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Belton, MO earns a median $96,610/year (≈ $46.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Belton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $107,824 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapists in Belton, MO, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $96,610 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national average of $105,288, reflecting a discrepancy linked to structural choices in healthcare settings. The local salary range spans from $74,370 at the lower 10th percentile to $116,908 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the diverse opportunities available based on whether professionals work in outpatient chains, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities. The job market in Belton is relatively small, with only six physical therapists currently employed in the area, suggesting that competition for optimal positions may influence overall compensation trends.
About the Belton Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,370 | $35.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,779 | $38.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,610 | $46.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,579 | $52.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,908 | $56.21 |
Median Salary Position
8.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belton
In Belton, MO, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,538 (2026 est.). At $96,610, the local median is 8.24% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Belton: You'd be above the median
How Belton Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Belton median: $96,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $102,232 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -8.24% less |
Physical Therapists in Belton, MO earn a median of $96,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.24% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.50% below the Missouri state average of $102,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belton has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Belton, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $96,610 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,824 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,068
2025 BLS Actual
$94,290
2026 Current Est.
$96,610
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Belton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,068 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,508 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,739 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,665 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,491 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,547 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,068 (2019) to $94,290 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,918 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belton 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) | $74,370 – $80,779 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,779 – $96,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,610 – $109,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,579 – $116,908 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Belton
In evaluating physical therapist pay in Belton, it's essential to consider the local cost of living, which stands at a lower index of 89.6. This means that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national median, purchasing power remains relatively intact. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly those under larger chains like ATI and Athletico, often offer competitive pay but may incorporate productivity bonuses that can enhance income based on meeting visit targets. Factors influencing the income gap include expectations around patient volume, board specialization certifications like OCS or SCS, and differences in practice models between cash-pay and insurance-based services. To maximize earnings in Belton, physical therapists should prioritize productivity, consider specialty certifications, and explore opportunities in boutique clinics or travel positions, which frequently command higher rates due to their flexibility and demand.
More salary data for Belton, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Belton, MO in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Belton?
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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 $94,290 for physical therapistsin the Belton 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 Belton 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