Physical Therapist Salary in Trenton, NJ: $110,944 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Trenton, NJ earns a median $110,944/year (≈ $53.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $107,525 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist in Trenton, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $110,944, which slightly surpasses the national median of $105,288. The local salary range spans from $85,677 at the lower end (P10) to $134,817 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflect key distinctions in compensation strategies tied to workplace settings. Typically, outpatient care settings like clinics may offer lower salaries compared to hospital networks that frequently provide more robust benefits and incentives. This divergence not only influences therapist earnings but also impacts the dynamics of the job market in Trenton itself.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,677 | $41.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,618 | $47.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,944 | $53.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,364 | $60.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,817 | $64.82 |
Median Salary Position
5.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,140 (2026 est.). At $110,944, the local median is 5.37% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be above the median
How Trenton Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Trenton median: $110,944/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $121,250 | -8.50% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +5.37% more |
Physical Therapists in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $110,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.37% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 8.50% below the New Jersey state average of $121,250.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,944 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,525 — a 3.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,440
2025 BLS Actual
$108,280
2026 Current Est.
$110,944
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,944 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,673 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.7% from $94,440 (2019) to $108,280 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,673 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,233 (20.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Trenton 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) | $85,677 – $98,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,618 – $110,944 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,944 – $126,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,364 – $134,817 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Trenton
With 360 physical therapists currently employed in Trenton, the job market showcases healthy opportunities for new and seasoned professionals alike. The cost of living index stands at 103.18, slightly above the national average, which means that purchasing power can be tighter than in regions with lower living costs. Among the various employers in the area, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as Athletico may pay less initially but possibly provide bonuses for meeting productivity targets, while hospital inpatient programs generally offer higher pay along with advantages in work-life balance. Factors such as board certifications and practice models—whether cash-pay or insurance-based—add complexity to income variability. To maximize earning potential, aspiring physical therapists should consider pursuing specialties like the OCS or SCS, along with seeking opportunities in high-paying sectors like travel therapy or pediatric clinics. Following these strategies within the Trenton market can lead to enhanced financial stability and career growth.
More salary data for Trenton, NJ:
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 $108,280 for physical therapistsin the Trenton 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, 7-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