Physical Therapist Salary in Ohio: $105,716 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $105,716/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $116,556 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbus ($105,130), Springfield ($104,870), Toledo ($104,750).

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

$105,716

Avg Median Salary

$50.83

Avg Hourly Rate

9,507

Metro Employed

Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in Ohio is projected to be $105,716, slightly above the national median of $105,288, representing a 0.4% increase over national figures. The highest salaries can be found in Columbus, where physical therapists are expected to earn around $107,716, while those in Solon can expect to earn a lower average salary of $96,798, creating a notable gap of $10,918. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for physical therapy services, and the density of healthcare facilities in urban versus suburban areas. Ohio requires physical therapists to hold a state license, which involves completing accredited doctoral programs and passing the National Physical Therapy Examination. The state's scope of practice laws allow practitioners to operate independently, which enhances job prospects. The demand for physical therapists continues to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 2.46%, driven by an aging population and increased awareness of physical therapy's benefits. Overall, physical therapists in Ohio can expect a stable job market, with favorable growth trends in many urban centers, making it a compelling state for professionals in this field.

Ohio Physical Therapist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$81,111

avg across 67 cities

Median

$105,716

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$128,996

avg across 67 cities

Overall salary range in Ohio: $73,929 (lowest entry-level) to $143,315 (highest top earner)

Ohio vs National Average

Ohio

$105,716

National Median

$105,288

Ohio physical therapists earn 0.41% more than the national median (+$428/year difference).

Ohio Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)

Physical Therapist salaries in Ohio range from $81,111 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $128,996 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,716. The Ohio median is $428 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $50.83/hr. Approximately 9,507 physical therapists are employed across 67 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$88,105

2025 BLS Actual

$103,178

2026 Current Est.

$105,716

2019–2027 Growth

+22.9%

Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Ohio (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	$88,105	Actual
2020	$89,805	Actual
2021	$97,532	Actual
2022	$97,771	Actual
2023	$99,214	Actual
2024	$99,574	Actual
2025	$103,178	Actual
2026(current)	$105,716	Estimated
2027	$108,317	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 17.1% from $88,105 (2019) to $103,178 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,317 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,212 (22.94%) from 2019.

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

Columbus

2,030 employed · $51.78/hr

$107,716

+1.89% vs avg

Springfield

70 employed · $51.66/hr

$107,450

+1.64% vs avg

Toledo

560 employed · $51.60/hr

$107,327

+1.52% vs avg

Cleveland

2,000 employed · $51.25/hr

$106,589

+0.83% vs avg

Lorain

12 employed · $51.18/hr

$106,460

+0.70% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Solon	$96,798	-8.44%	$46.54
Centerville	$96,814	-8.42%	$46.55
Avon Lake	$97,029	-8.22%	$46.65
Wadsworth	$97,099	-8.15%	$46.68
Tiffin	$97,178	-8.08%	$46.72

Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Ohio

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

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Springfield	$107,450	90.482	$118,753
Lorain	$106,460	90.7	$117,376
Toledo	$107,327	91.455	$117,355
Sandusky	$104,724	89.281	$117,297
Parma	$106,168	90.7	$117,054

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

Salary by Experience Level in Ohio

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$81,111	$39.00	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$105,716	$50.83	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$128,996	$62.02	90th percentile, top earners

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

All 67 Cities in Ohio

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Columbus	$107,716	$51.78	$81,005	$127,163	2,030
2	Springfield	$107,450	$51.66	$81,691	$127,337	70
3	Toledo	$107,327	$51.60	$82,009	$128,147	560
4	Cleveland	$106,589	$51.25	$81,579	$130,329	2,000
5	Lorain	$106,460	$51.18	$76,409	$136,403	12
6	Parma	$106,168	$51.05	$78,930	$135,435	12
7	Beavercreek	$106,037	$50.98	$83,468	$138,335	8
8	Dayton	$105,872	$50.90	$82,111	$138,341	780
9	Cuyahoga Falls	$105,735	$50.83	$77,471	$134,273	11
10	Cincinnati	$105,421	$50.69	$82,163	$128,895	2,090
11	Hamilton	$105,368	$50.66	$76,933	$143,315	11
12	Akron	$105,226	$50.59	$81,568	$126,128	620
13	Lakewood	$104,792	$50.38	$75,694	$141,660	11
14	Sandusky	$104,724	$50.35	$80,216	$126,384	50
15	Bowling Green	$104,653	$50.32	$81,273	$131,007	7
16	Lancaster	$104,620	$50.30	$81,193	$134,603	7
17	Zanesville	$104,612	$50.30	$81,173	$130,874	5
18	Kettering	$104,445	$50.22	$80,283	$141,141	10
19	Westlake	$104,432	$50.21	$80,730	$130,293	5
20	Middletown	$104,391	$50.18	$80,630	$133,856	9
21	Grove City	$104,089	$50.04	$79,888	$129,187	7
22	Delaware	$104,007	$50.00	$79,688	$128,665	7
23	Gahanna	$103,991	$50.00	$79,648	$128,871	9
24	Westerville	$103,925	$49.96	$79,488	$128,661	8
25	Huber Heights	$103,680	$49.85	$78,453	$127,875	11
26	North Ridgeville	$103,598	$49.81	$78,691	$127,613	8
27	North Royalton	$103,452	$49.73	$77,897	$127,144	7
28	North Olmsted	$103,084	$49.56	$77,443	$135,971	8
29	Reynoldsburg	$102,904	$49.48	$76,575	$135,381	8
30	Strongsville	$102,560	$49.30	$75,751	$134,262	8
31	Canton	$102,440	$49.25	$78,966	$127,932	360
32	Brunswick	$101,923	$49.01	$82,960	$131,877	6
33	Wooster	$101,923	$49.01	$82,637	$132,193	6
34	Elyria	$101,764	$48.92	$76,920	$131,657	14
35	Shaker Heights	$101,557	$48.82	$82,064	$130,747	7
36	Medina	$101,490	$48.79	$82,005	$130,796	6
37	Dublin	$101,163	$48.64	$81,207	$129,747	9
38	Fairfield	$101,155	$48.63	$81,080	$133,049	9
39	Massillon	$101,050	$48.59	$80,490	$132,190	7
40	Mentor	$101,048	$48.58	$80,821	$132,705	9
41	Mason	$100,608	$48.37	$79,433	$127,974	7
42	Avon	$100,481	$48.31	$78,911	$123,558	6
43	Marion	$100,329	$48.24	$79,081	$126,778	7
44	Stow	$100,321	$48.23	$78,744	$127,063	9
45	Lima	$100,288	$48.22	$75,165	$121,589	110
46	Newark	$100,264	$48.21	$79,029	$126,883	10
47	Findlay	$100,158	$48.16	$78,774	$126,546	8
48	Green	$100,002	$48.07	$77,978	$129,592	4
49	Barberton	$100,002	$48.07	$78,400	$126,054	6
50	Austintown	$99,961	$48.05	$77,881	$125,925	7
51	Cleveland Heights	$99,945	$48.05	$78,263	$125,873	9
52	Warren	$99,844	$48.00	$73,929	$130,179	9
53	Upper Arlington	$99,814	$47.99	$77,846	$125,213	9
54	Xenia	$99,814	$47.99	$77,951	$125,213	7
55	Hilliard	$99,692	$47.93	$77,236	$125,075	9
56	Youngstown	$99,601	$47.89	$75,523	$121,579	350
57	Oxford	$99,380	$47.78	$76,056	$125,820	6
58	Chillicothe	$99,167	$47.67	$75,205	$125,386	6
59	Perrysburg	$98,802	$47.50	$83,040	$124,004	6
60	Trotwood	$98,770	$47.49	$82,960	$123,905	6
61	Mansfield	$97,911	$47.07	$78,546	$126,067	60
62	Athens	$97,725	$46.99	$77,397	$120,888	5
63	Tiffin	$97,178	$46.72	$79,068	$118,969	6
64	Wadsworth	$97,099	$46.68	$78,448	$118,960	6
65	Avon Lake	$97,029	$46.65	$78,590	$118,509	5
66	Centerville	$96,814	$46.55	$77,745	$118,087	6
67	Solon	$96,798	$46.54	$78,127	$121,124	6

More Ohio Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Ohio cities.

Columbus →Springfield →Toledo →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new physical therapists.

Columbus →Springfield →Toledo →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.

Columbus →Springfield →Toledo →

Compare Cities in Ohio

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View all comparisons →

Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapists make in Ohio in 2026?

The average median physical therapist salary in Ohio is $105,716/year across 67 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $96,798 in Solon to $107,716 in Columbus. This makes Ohio one of the higher-paying states, at 0.41% above the national median of $105,288. The state employs approximately 9,507 physical therapists.

What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Ohio?

Columbus offers the highest physical therapist salary in Ohio at $107,716/year ($51.78/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Columbus ($107,716), Springfield ($107,450), Toledo ($107,327). 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 Ohio physical therapist pay compare to the national average?

Ohio's average physical therapist salary of $105,716 is 0.41% above the national median of $105,288 in 2026. The state employs approximately 9,507 physical therapists across 67 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 Ohio?

Entry-level physical therapists (10th percentile) in Ohio earn approximately $81,111/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $73,929 in lower-paying areas to $83,468 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 Ohio?

Ohio employs approximately 9,507 physical therapists across 67 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Ohio one of the larger employers of physical therapists nationally. Demand continues to grow as the physical therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which Ohio city offers the best value for physical therapists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Springfield offers the highest purchasing power for physical therapists in Ohio, with an adjusted salary of $118,753 (nominal: $107,450, CoL index: 90.482). This means your dollar goes 11% 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 Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 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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