Physical Therapist Salary in Montana: $92,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $92,534/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $96,189 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bozeman ($97,400), Billings ($97,020), Helena ($84,390).
Considering a career as a physical therapist in Montana? In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in the state is projected to be $92,534, which is approximately 12.1% lower than the national median of $105,288. The highest-paying city in Montana is Bozeman, where salaries can reach $99,796, while Kalispell offers the lowest at $82,562, illustrating a salary gap of $17,234 between these locations. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local economic conditions. Montana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that may influence the job market. Physical therapists must hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination as well as meet continuing education requirements to maintain licensure. The projected growth rate for this field in Montana is 2.46%, indicating a steady demand for physical therapists to support an aging population and expanding healthcare facilities. With a total of 771 physical therapists employed statewide, opportunities exist in various metro areas, including Billings at $99,407, Helena at $86,466, Missoula at $86,036, and Butte at $84,029, ensuring a range of options for professionals in this field.
Montana Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $62,142 (lowest entry-level) to $126,692 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana physical therapists earn 12.11% less than the national median ($-12,754/year difference).
Montana Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Montana range from $81,937 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $117,345 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $92,534. The Montana median is $12,754 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $44.49/hr. Approximately 771 physical therapists are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$89,601
2025 BLS Actual
$90,312
2026 Current Est.
$92,534
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,601 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,014 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,702 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,131 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,312 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,810 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 0.8% from $89,601 (2019) to $90,312 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,810 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,209 (5.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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 Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kalispell | $82,562 |
| Great Falls | $83,976 |
| Butte | $84,029 |
| Missoula | $86,036 |
| Helena | $86,466 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $99,407 | 93.526 | $106,288 |
| Bozeman | $99,796 | 102.51 | $97,352 |
| Helena | $86,466 | 95.675 | $90,375 |
| Missoula | $86,036 | 96.445 | $89,207 |
| Butte | $84,029 | 96.2 | $87,348 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,937 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $92,534 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $117,345 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Montana?
How does Montana physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Montana?
How many physical therapists are employed in Montana?
Which Montana 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 Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 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