Physical Therapist Salary in Hackensack, NJ: $116,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Hackensack, NJ earns a median $116,387/year (≈ $55.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Hackensack's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $101,030 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hackensack, New Jersey, physical therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $116,387 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market that is approximately 10.54% higher than the national median salary of $105,288. The full salary range for physical therapists in this area spans from $93,244 at the 10th percentile to $148,768 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the earnings potential for those in various settings and with differing experience levels. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data and regional price parity adjustments, indicate that productivity measures, such as visits per day and treatment units, significantly influence hourly compensation, making Hackensack a noteworthy location for physical therapy professionals looking to maximize their earnings.
About the Hackensack Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,244 | $44.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,541 | $48.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,387 | $55.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,825 | $63.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,768 | $71.53 |
Median Salary Position
10.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hackensack
In Hackensack, NJ, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,524 (2026 est.). At $116,387, the local median is 10.54% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hackensack: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hackensack Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Hackensack median: $116,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hackensack Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $121,237 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +10.54% more |
Physical Therapists in Hackensack, NJ earn a median of $116,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.54% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 4.00% below the New Jersey state average of $121,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hackensack has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hackensack, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,387 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,030 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,869
2025 BLS Actual
$113,593
2026 Current Est.
$116,387
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Hackensack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,869 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,604 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,022 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,221 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,385 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,593 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,251 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hackensack metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $98,869 (2019) to $113,593 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,251 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,382 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hackensack 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) | $93,244 – $100,541 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,541 – $116,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,387 – $131,825 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,825 – $148,768 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Hackensack
The job market for physical therapists in Hackensack consists of eight employed professionals navigating a cost of living index of 115.2, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, living expenses are also above the national average. This reality affects take-home pay, making it imperative for therapists to assess potential employers keenly. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly established chains like Athletico and ATI, commonly offer employment but may provide lower base salaries compared to hospital inpatient rehab services that can offer higher compensation. Factors such as clinic ownership equity, efficiency in patient throughput, and additional certifications like OCS or SCS can create substantial pay variances. Physical therapists aiming to maximize their earnings should prioritize versatility in practice models, considering the benefits of cash-pay arrangements in addition to traditional insurance-based environments.
More salary data for Hackensack, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Hackensack, NJ in 2026?
Is Hackensack, NJ a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Hackensack?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Hackensack?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Hackensack?
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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 $113,593 for physical therapistsin the Hackensack 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 Hackensack 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