Physical Therapist Salary in Dover, NH: $109,238 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Dover, NH earns a median $109,238/year (≈ $52.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Dover's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $101,806 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Dover, NH, is projected to reach a median of $109,238, slightly above the national median of $105,288. The local salary range spans from $88,885 at the 10th percentile to $134,508 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market with opportunities for both entry-level and highly experienced practitioners. These figures represent estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is indexed at 107.3—indicating that the cost of living in Dover is slightly above the national average. This upward trend in salaries aligns with the increasing demand for physical therapy services, especially within cash-pay sports and orthopedic specialty practices that can incentivize higher compensation for top performers.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,885 | $42.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,377 | $45.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,238 | $52.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,708 | $59.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,508 | $64.66 |
Median Salary Position
3.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, NH, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,623 (2026 est.). At $109,238, the local median is 3.75% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dover Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Dover median: $109,238/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $112,966 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +3.75% more |
Physical Therapists in Dover, NH earn a median of $109,238 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 3.30% below the New Hampshire state average of $112,966.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,238 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,806 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,990
2025 BLS Actual
$106,615
2026 Current Est.
$109,238
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,677 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,615 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,238 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,925 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 25.4% from $84,990 (2019) to $106,615 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,925 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,935 (31.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $88,885 – $95,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,377 – $109,238 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,238 – $124,708 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,708 – $134,508 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Dover
With only five physical therapists currently employed in Dover, the job market is relatively small, yet it offers unique opportunities for those who strategically position themselves within the local healthcare system. The higher cost of living can impact take-home purchasing power, especially when considering employment options. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide competitive pay structures, particularly for therapists who are adaptable to productivity expectations shaped by reimbursement models. Factors such as board certification stipends, ownership equity in private practices, and the choice between cash-pay versus insurance models also influence the pay scale. For physical therapists looking to maximize earnings in Dover, seeking positions in high-demand settings such as sports medicine clinics or travel PT agencies can be beneficial, especially when adding specialized certifications like OCS or SCS to their qualifications to enhance marketability.
More salary data for Dover, NH:
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 $106,615 for physical therapistsin the Dover 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 Dover 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