Physical Therapist Salary in Cleveland Heights, OH: $99,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Cleveland Heights, OH earns a median $99,945/year (≈ $48.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Cleveland Heights's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $110,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, the anticipated median annual salary for physical therapists is projected at $99,945 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The local salary range extends from $78,263 at the 10th percentile to $125,873 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse compensation landscape influenced by various factors within the profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost factors, highlight the increasing demand for cash-pay sports and orthopedic specialists. This trend often pushes top-end earnings higher, attracting professionals to specialized fields even as the overall pay in Cleveland Heights trails the national average.
About the Cleveland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,263 | $37.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,003 | $40.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,945 | $48.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,506 | $55.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,873 | $60.51 |
Median Salary Position
5.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland Heights
In Cleveland Heights, OH, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,610 (2026 est.). At $99,945, the local median is 5.07% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Heights Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Cleveland Heights median: $99,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $105,316 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.07% less |
Physical Therapists in Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $99,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.07% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $105,316.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland Heights 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.
Cleveland Heights, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,945 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,193 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,901
2025 BLS Actual
$97,545
2026 Current Est.
$99,945
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,901 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,391 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,767 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,761 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,545 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland Heights metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,901 (2019) to $97,545 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,502 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland Heights 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) | $78,263 – $85,003 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,003 – $99,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,945 – $115,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,506 – $125,873 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Cleveland Heights
Cleveland Heights currently employs nine physical therapists, illustrating a niche market that may not have widespread competition. The local cost-of-living index stands at 90.7, indicating that take-home purchasing power may stretch further despite the slightly lower salary projections. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly established chains like Athletico and ATI, are known to offer competitive salaries, though often accompanied by rigorous productivity expectations. Factors driving the salary range include board certification stipends, clinic ownership equity, and the cash-pay versus insurance practice model. To maximize earning potential in this area, aspiring physical therapists should consider pursuing advanced certifications such as the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), as well as engaging in productivity-focused practices within their workplace.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Cleveland Heights?
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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 $97,545 for physical therapistsin the Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights 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