Physical Therapist Salary in New Jersey: $113,257 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $113,257/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,313 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: East Orange ($120,014), Franklin ($120,014), Woodbridge ($119,980).

Physical Therapist Salary in New Jersey - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — New Jersey physical therapist salary overview (2026)

$113,257

Avg Median Salary

$54.45

Avg Hourly Rate

1,523

Metro Employed

Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in New Jersey is projected to be $113,257, which is 7.6% higher than the national median of $105,288. This state offers a salary range that reflects significant disparities among metropolitan areas. East Orange is the highest-paying city at $122,966, while Atlantic City has the lowest salary at $103,925, leading to a gap of $19,041. Factors influencing this difference include the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local employer compensation policies. New Jersey's specific requirements for physical therapist licensing and its defined scope of practice laws also impact salaries. Physical therapists must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam to practice in the state. The demand for physical therapy services continues to rise, contributing to a positive job market outlook, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.46%. This is supported by an active population and an increasing focus on rehabilitation services within healthcare. With 1,523 physical therapists employed in the state, opportunities in top-paying cities like Franklin, Woodbridge, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Union are anticipated to be strong in the coming years.

New Jersey Physical Therapist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$87,574

avg across 61 cities

Median

$113,257

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$143,555

avg across 61 cities

Overall salary range in New Jersey: $75,397 (lowest entry-level) to $169,125 (highest top earner)

New Jersey vs National Average

New Jersey

$113,257

National Median

$105,288

New Jersey physical therapists earn 7.57% more than the national median (+$7,969/year difference).

New Jersey Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)

Physical Therapist salaries in New Jersey range from $87,574 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $143,555 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $113,257. The New Jersey median is $7,969 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $54.45/hr. Approximately 1,523 physical therapists are employed across 61 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$91,905

2025 BLS Actual

$110,538

2026 Current Est.

$113,257

2019–2027 Growth

+26.3%

Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in New Jersey (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$91,905	Actual
2020	$99,388	Actual
2021	$97,843	Actual
2022	$101,795	Actual
2023	$100,634	Actual
2024	$115,504	Actual
2025	$110,538	Actual
2026(current)	$113,257	Estimated
2027	$116,043	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 20.3% from $91,905 (2019) to $110,538 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,043 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,138 (26.26%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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 New Jersey

East Orange

9 employed · $59.12/hr

$122,966

+8.57% vs avg

Franklin

15 employed · $59.12/hr

$122,966

+8.57% vs avg

Woodbridge

25 employed · $59.10/hr

$122,932

+8.54% vs avg

Parsippany-Troy Hills

8 employed · $59.02/hr

$122,754

+8.39% vs avg

Union

15 employed · $58.87/hr

$122,447

+8.11% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Atlantic City	$103,925	-8.24%	$49.97
Camden	$105,804	-6.58%	$50.87
Vineland	$107,952	-4.68%	$51.90
Newark	$110,461	-2.47%	$53.11
Trenton	$110,944	-2.04%	$53.34

Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in New Jersey

When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Vineland	$107,952	95.968	$112,487
Trenton	$110,944	103.18	$107,525
East Orange	$122,966	115.2	$106,741
Franklin	$122,966	115.2	$106,741
Woodbridge	$122,932	115.2	$106,712

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$87,574	$42.10	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$113,257	$54.45	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$143,555	$69.02	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 61 Cities in New Jersey

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	East Orange	$122,966	$59.12	$92,569	$158,614	9
2	Franklin	$122,966	$59.12	$92,569	$158,300	15
3	Woodbridge	$122,932	$59.10	$86,763	$169,125	25
4	Parsippany-Troy Hills	$122,754	$59.02	$87,977	$157,909	8
5	Union	$122,447	$58.87	$90,830	$156,887	15
6	Elizabeth	$122,402	$58.84	$94,668	$167,316	25
7	Brick	$122,150	$58.73	$90,124	$160,356	18
8	Gloucester Township	$121,803	$58.56	$89,307	$154,757	10
9	New Brunswick	$121,755	$58.54	$89,692	$158,728	8
10	Howell	$121,352	$58.34	$88,743	$165,095	11
11	Paterson	$121,206	$58.27	$92,375	$163,269	31
12	Plainfield	$121,064	$58.21	$87,572	$164,432	10
13	Irvington	$120,881	$58.12	$87,517	$163,430	10
14	West New York	$120,699	$58.03	$87,092	$155,227	10
15	Piscataway	$120,613	$57.98	$87,014	$162,912	14
16	Jackson	$120,545	$57.95	$86,364	$155,029	10
17	Lakewood	$120,344	$57.86	$90,389	$164,858	31
18	West Orange	$120,275	$57.83	$92,993	$154,035	11
19	Montclair	$120,095	$57.74	$92,046	$149,500	10
20	Washington Township	$119,908	$57.64	$91,586	$153,138	12
21	Old Bridge	$119,863	$57.62	$94,743	$160,097	17
22	Edison	$119,677	$57.54	$88,867	$162,304	20
23	Union City	$119,623	$57.51	$94,293	$159,604	17
24	Toms River	$119,584	$57.49	$94,201	$151,880	17
25	Bridgewater	$119,447	$57.43	$90,462	$147,413	10
26	Middletown	$119,412	$57.41	$93,790	$151,317	15
27	Clifton	$119,046	$57.23	$92,924	$162,034	14
28	South Brunswick	$118,834	$57.13	$89,480	$156,985	7
29	Berkeley	$118,825	$57.13	$88,956	$156,954	7
30	Perth Amboy	$118,806	$57.12	$92,356	$156,899	13
31	Wayne	$118,768	$57.10	$92,265	$156,771	10
32	Linden	$118,750	$57.09	$89,275	$149,097	7
33	Passaic	$118,720	$57.08	$92,153	$160,945	18
34	East Brunswick	$118,674	$57.06	$89,093	$156,166	8
35	Bloomfield	$118,422	$56.94	$91,452	$155,634	11
36	Long Branch	$118,345	$56.90	$88,300	$155,385	8
37	Westfield	$118,015	$56.74	$87,010	$147,039	7
38	Hamilton	$117,894	$56.68	$90,092	$153,580	21
39	Sayreville	$117,856	$56.66	$87,126	$153,497	9
40	Cherry Hill	$117,836	$56.65	$89,596	$153,713	11
41	North Bergen	$117,625	$56.55	$89,586	$152,723	13
42	Hoboken	$117,520	$56.50	$85,791	$152,379	15
43	Kearny	$117,338	$56.41	$95,446	$151,749	11
44	Manalapan	$117,235	$56.36	$95,190	$151,488	8
45	Bayonne	$117,116	$56.30	$88,404	$155,641	16
46	Manchester	$116,848	$56.18	$93,875	$154,671	9
47	Moorestown	$116,390	$55.95	$92,450	$140,144	4
48	Hackensack	$116,387	$55.95	$93,244	$148,768	8
49	Marlboro	$115,785	$55.67	$91,661	$146,848	9
50	Mount Laurel	$115,700	$55.63	$91,456	$146,578	11
51	Egg Harbor	$115,418	$55.49	$90,898	$145,971	8
52	Evesham	$115,249	$55.41	$90,492	$145,435	12
53	Rahway	$114,740	$55.16	$89,152	$147,534	9
54	Princeton	$113,150	$54.40	$87,037	$140,379	6
55	Summit	$113,034	$54.34	$93,863	$140,743	5
56	Jersey City	$112,191	$53.93	$78,820	$150,330	42
57	Trenton	$110,944	$53.34	$85,677	$134,817	360
58	Newark	$110,461	$53.11	$75,397	$155,974	61
59	Vineland	$107,952	$51.90	$86,097	$127,112	70
60	Camden	$105,804	$50.87	$80,001	$140,506	16
61	Atlantic City	$103,925	$49.97	$87,030	$123,649	290

More New Jersey Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore physical therapist hourly pay in New Jersey cities.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new physical therapists.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.

East Orange →Franklin →Woodbridge →

Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapists make in New Jersey in 2026?

The average median physical therapist salary in New Jersey is $113,257/year across 61 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $103,925 in Atlantic City to $122,966 in East Orange. This makes New Jersey one of the higher-paying states, at 7.57% above the national median of $105,288. The state employs approximately 1,523 physical therapists.

What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in New Jersey?

East Orange offers the highest physical therapist salary in New Jersey at $122,966/year ($59.12/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are East Orange ($122,966), Franklin ($122,966), Woodbridge ($122,932). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for physical therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed physical therapists.

How does New Jersey physical therapist pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's average physical therapist salary of $113,257 is 7.57% above the national median of $105,288 in 2026. The state employs approximately 1,523 physical therapists across 61 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in New Jersey?

Entry-level physical therapists (10th percentile) in New Jersey earn approximately $87,574/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $75,397 in lower-paying areas to $95,446 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many physical therapists are employed in New Jersey?

New Jersey employs approximately 1,523 physical therapists across 61 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the physical therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which New Jersey city offers the best value for physical therapists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Vineland offers the highest purchasing power for physical therapists in New Jersey, with an adjusted salary of $112,487 (nominal: $107,952, CoL index: 95.968). This means your dollar goes 4% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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