Physical Therapist Salary in Butte, MT: $84,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Butte, MT earns a median $84,029/year (≈ $40.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $87,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $84,029 in 2026, revealing a competitive landscape closely aligned with local industry standards. The projected salary range for this profession spans from $62,142 at the 10th percentile to $109,676 at the 90th percentile, indicating the variability that can exist based on experience and practice setting. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional price levels. Differences in pay are often influenced by the choice between working in outpatient chains, which may prioritize productivity metrics, and hospital systems or skilled nursing facilities that can offer different remuneration packages, altogether affecting the job market dynamics in Butte.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,142 | $29.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,016 | $34.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,029 | $40.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,457 | $47.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,676 | $52.73 |
Median Salary Position
20.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,534 (2026 est.). At $84,029, the local median is 20.19% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Butte median: $84,029/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $86,450 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -20.19% less |
Physical Therapists in Butte, MT earn a median of $84,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.19% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $86,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $84,029 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,348 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,381
2025 BLS Actual
$82,012
2026 Current Est.
$84,029
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,381 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,634 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,314 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,578 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,271 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,012 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,097 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $71,381 (2019) to $82,012 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,097 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,716 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $62,142 – $72,016 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,016 – $84,029 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,029 – $99,457 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,457 – $109,676 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Butte
The employment climate for physical therapists in Butte reveals a modest roster of seven professionals in the field, suggesting a localized yet potentially competitive job market. With a cost-of-living index standing at 96.2, the affordability in Butte allows therapists to enjoy a more substantial purchasing power, albeit reflecting the regional economic conditions. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics may pay competitive salaries, particularly those driven by productivity bonuses and the demand for specialized services like sports medicine or pediatric therapy. Variations in compensation can stem from differing expectations around productivity, board certification premiums, and the practice model—whether cash-pay or insurance-based. As such, a strategy for maximizing physical therapist pay in Butte includes pursuing board specializations like OCS or SCS, engaging with diverse practice settings, and aligning with employers who value innovative care delivery models.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $82,012 for physical therapistsin the Butte 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 Butte 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