Physical Therapist Salary in Passaic, NJ: $118,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Passaic, NJ earns a median $118,720/year (≈ $57.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Passaic's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $103,056 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Passaic, New Jersey, the physical therapist salary is projected to offer an appealing median annual income of $118,720 in 2026, reflecting a significant 12.76% increase compared to the national median of $105,288. Physically demanding roles often come with the expectation of high productivity rates, pushing therapists to juggle multiple patient visits each day. Compensation ranges from a lower end of $92,153 to a high of $160,945, indicating a competitive job market influenced by local economic conditions and demand for rehabilitation services. This salary estimation is derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted by regional price parity, making it valuable for both current practitioners and those considering a career in physical therapy in Passaic.
About the Passaic Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,153 | $44.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,927 | $48.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,720 | $57.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,392 | $68.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,945 | $77.38 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Passaic
In Passaic, NJ, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,792 (2026 est.). At $118,720, the local median is 12.76% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Passaic: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Passaic Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Passaic median: $118,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Passaic Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $121,267 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +12.76% more |
Physical Therapists in Passaic, NJ earn a median of $118,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $121,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Passaic has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Passaic, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,720 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,056 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$100,851
2025 BLS Actual
$115,870
2026 Current Est.
$118,720
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Passaic (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,851 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,621 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,819 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,187 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,431 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,778 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Passaic metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $100,851 (2019) to $115,870 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,790 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Passaic 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) | $92,153 – $100,927 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,927 – $118,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,720 – $143,392 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,392 – $160,945 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Passaic
With 18 physical therapists working in the area, Passaic's job market remains stable, although the cost of living index is notable at 115.2, suggesting that take-home pay may not stretch as far as in less expensive regions. Healthcare facilities, including outpatient orthopedic clinics like Athletico, typically lead in offering higher salaries among local employers. The wide salary range is driven by several factors, such as productivity expectations, which may lead to supplemental income through bonuses, and specialized board certifications that can command higher wages. To maximize earnings, therapists in Passaic should consider embracing diverse practice models, whether that's cash-based services that sidestep insurance constraints or pursuing specialization certifications such as OCS or SCS, ensuring they capture the full spectrum of patient relationships.
More salary data for Passaic, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Passaic, NJ in 2026?
Is Passaic, NJ a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Passaic?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Passaic?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Passaic?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $115,870 for physical therapistsin the Passaic 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 Passaic 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