Physical Therapist Salary in Chesterfield, MO: $101,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Chesterfield, MO earns a median $101,270/year (≈ $48.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Chesterfield's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $113,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist in Chesterfield, Missouri, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,270, slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession in the area can vary significantly, from $78,206 at the 10th percentile to $126,003 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. The trend towards cash-pay models, particularly within outpatient orthopedic practices, has contributed to a competitive top-end salary that appeals to many professionals in Chesterfield's job market.
About the Chesterfield Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,206 | $37.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,320 | $41.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,270 | $48.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,590 | $57.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,003 | $60.57 |
Median Salary Position
3.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chesterfield
In Chesterfield, MO, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,797 (2026 est.). At $101,270, the local median is 3.82% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chesterfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chesterfield Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Chesterfield median: $101,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chesterfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $102,190 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.82% less |
Physical Therapists in Chesterfield, MO earn a median of $101,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.82% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $102,190.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chesterfield 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.
Chesterfield, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,270 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,025 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,027
2025 BLS Actual
$98,839
2026 Current Est.
$101,270
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Chesterfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,027 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,537 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,971 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,991 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,905 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,839 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,762 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chesterfield metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,027 (2019) to $98,839 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,762 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,735 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chesterfield 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) | $78,206 – $85,320 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,320 – $101,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,270 – $118,590 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,590 – $126,003 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Chesterfield
With only 10 physical therapists currently employed within Chesterfield, competition for positions can be fierce. The area's cost-of-living index of 89.6 indicates that while salaries may be somewhat lower than the national average, the purchasing power for residents is intact. Facilities such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and sports medicine centers typically offer higher pay, especially for those who achieve board certifications like the OCS or SCS. The pay disparity can largely be attributed to factors such as clinic productivity expectations, whether a therapist engages in cash-pay or insurance-based practices, and opportunities for ownership equity in private practices. To maximize earning potential in Chesterfield, physical therapists may benefit from enhancing their skills through additional certification, targeting high-demand specialties, and considering employment in settings that emphasize patient volume and productivity bonuses.
More salary data for Chesterfield, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Chesterfield, MO in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Chesterfield?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Chesterfield?
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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 $98,839 for physical therapistsin the Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield 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