Physical Therapist Salary in Wayne, NJ: $118,768 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Wayne, NJ earns a median $118,768/year (≈ $57.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Wayne's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $103,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapists in Wayne, New Jersey, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $118,768 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay level compared to the national median of $105,288. The salary range varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning approximately $92,265 and the top 90% achieving around $156,771. These figures are informed by estimates derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities. The salary structure in Wayne highlights a discrepancy influenced by the type of employment, as outpatient clinics may offer different compensation packages compared to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. With the local market employing about 10 physical therapists, the job landscape suggests a degree of stability and opportunity for growth in various practice settings.
About the Wayne Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,265 | $44.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,424 | $47.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,768 | $57.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,906 | $67.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,771 | $75.37 |
Median Salary Position
12.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wayne
In Wayne, NJ, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,506 (2026 est.). At $118,768, the local median is 12.8% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wayne Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Wayne median: $118,768/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $121,315 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +12.80% more |
Physical Therapists in Wayne, NJ earn a median of $118,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.80% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $121,315.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wayne has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wayne, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,768 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,097 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,891
2025 BLS Actual
$115,916
2026 Current Est.
$118,768
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,891 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,662 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,862 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,231 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,476 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,916 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,768 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,689 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wayne metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $100,891 (2019) to $115,916 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,689 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,798 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wayne 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) | $92,265 – $98,424 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,424 – $118,768 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,768 – $140,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,906 – $156,771 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Wayne
Examining the local job market, the cost of living index in Wayne is 115.2, indicating that living expenses are above the national average. This factor can impact the effective purchasing power of a physical therapist's salary, necessitating higher earnings to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Employers that are typically among the most lucrative include hospital inpatient rehab centers and established outpatient orthopedic clinics like ATI and Athletico, which often feature performance-driven compensation models. Factors contributing to the significant pay differential in Wayne include productivity expectations, certifications like OCS or SCS that may command stipends, and the growing trend of cash-pay versus insurance-based practices. For prospective physical therapists seeking to optimize their salary in this market, pursuing board certifications and exploring roles in high-demand settings can enhance financial prospects while navigating the evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Wayne, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Wayne, NJ in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Wayne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Wayne?
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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 $115,916 for physical therapistsin the Wayne 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 Wayne 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