Physical Therapist Salary in Bowling Green, OH: $104,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Bowling Green, OH earns a median $104,653/year (≈ $50.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $115,384 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Bowling Green, Ohio, are expected to see a median annual salary of $104,653, which is slightly lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range spans from $81,273 at the P10 level to $131,007 at the P90 level, reflecting the diversity of compensation based on experience and specialization. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data along with regional price parity adjustments. Notably, the growing trend of cash-pay models within sports and orthopedic specialties is likely influencing top-end salaries, as clinics adopt competitive pricing strategies to attract patients. This dynamic indicates a robust market for physical therapists in Bowling Green, setting the stage for a healthy job outlook in the coming years.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,273 | $39.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,507 | $42.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,653 | $50.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,463 | $57.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,007 | $62.98 |
Median Salary Position
0.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, OH, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,734 (2026 est.). At $104,653, the local median is 0.6% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bowling Green Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $104,653/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $105,284 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.60% less |
Physical Therapists in Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $104,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.60% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $105,284.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $104,653 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,384 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,900
2025 BLS Actual
$102,140
2026 Current Est.
$104,653
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,461 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,108 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,227 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $88,900 (2019) to $102,140 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,227 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,327 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $81,273 – $88,507 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,507 – $104,653 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,653 – $120,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,463 – $131,007 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Bowling Green
The local market for physical therapists in Bowling Green consists of only seven employed professionals, indicative of a small but potentially competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, the area presents an attractive setting for physical therapist pay, as salaries may stretch further than in higher-cost locales. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly those operated by larger chains like ATI and Athletico, often lead in compensation, although hospital systems may provide slightly higher pay due to their structure and benefits. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include expectations around patient productivity, board certifications like OCS and SCS, and the choices between cash-pay versus insurance-based models. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Bowling Green, pursuing continued education and certifications, aiming for role in high-demand specializations, and connecting with high-compensation employers are essential strategies.
More salary data for Bowling Green, OH:
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 $102,140 for physical therapistsin the Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green 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