Physical Therapist Salary in Helena, MT: $86,466 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Helena, MT earns a median $86,466/year (≈ $41.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $90,375 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Helena, Montana, are projected to be competitive, with a median annual pay of $86,466. The salary range reflects a diverse job market, varying from $80,575 at the 10th percentile to $110,780 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, illustrate the opportunities available to practitioners in this region. While the compensation here may be lower when compared to the national median of $105,288, the expected growth rate of 2.46% annually indicates a positive trajectory for the profession in Helena. The local job market, consisting of around 100 physical therapists, contributes to a dynamic environment where productivity expectations can ultimately influence overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,575 | $38.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,105 | $39.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,466 | $41.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,460 | $46.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,780 | $53.26 |
Median Salary Position
17.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,205 (2026 est.). At $86,466, the local median is 17.88% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Helena Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Helena median: $86,466/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $105,288 | -17.88% less |
Physical Therapists in Helena, MT earn a median of $86,466 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.88% lower than the national median of $105,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $86,466 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,375 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,451
2025 BLS Actual
$84,390
2026 Current Est.
$86,466
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,451 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,526 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,251 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,885 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,466 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $73,451 (2019) to $84,390 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,142 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $80,575 – $83,105 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,105 – $86,466 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,466 – $97,460 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,460 – $110,780 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Helena
Job opportunities for physical therapists in Helena are shaped by the cost of living, indexed at 95.675, meaning that while salaries may lag behind national figures, the lower expenses can enhance take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often lead in pay, although earnings may vary based on factors such as productivity demands, board certification stipends, and practice models. Physical therapist pay in Helena, MT, can fluctuate significantly depending on whether practitioners work in private practices, hospitals, or home health agencies. By specializing in certifications, navigating the cash-pay landscape, and optimizing patient visits, professionals can maximize their earning potential in this market. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for those aiming to boost their physical therapist salary in Helena while adapting to the evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Helena, MT in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Helena?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Helena?
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Related Pages
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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 $84,390 for physical therapistsin the Helena 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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