Physical Therapist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $106,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Cleveland, OH earns a median $106,589/year (≈ $51.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $113,486 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual physical therapist salary in Cleveland, Ohio is set at $106,589 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $105,288. Physical therapists in the city can expect to earn between $81,579 and $130,329, which suggests a diverse salary range influenced by factors such as specialization, employer type, and practice setting. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, indicates a growing demand for skilled therapists, particularly as trends toward cash-pay models in sports and orthopedic therapy elevate top-end earnings. The local job market in Cleveland is robust, with approximately 2,000 physical therapists currently employed, positioning the city as an attractive option for new graduates and experienced practitioners alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,579 | $39.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,845 | $41.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,589 | $51.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,059 | $57.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,329 | $62.65 |
Median Salary Position
1.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,750 (2026 est.). At $106,589, the local median is 1.24% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $106,589/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $105,325 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +1.24% more |
Physical Therapists in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $106,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.20% above the Ohio state average of $105,325.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $106,589 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,486 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$86,230
2025 BLS Actual
$104,030
2026 Current Est.
$106,589
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,211 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 20.6% from $86,230 (2019) to $104,030 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,211 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,981 (26.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $81,579 – $86,845 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,845 – $106,589 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,589 – $119,059 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,059 – $130,329 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Cleveland
In Cleveland, the well-being of the local job market is reflected in favorable employment opportunities for physical therapists, with a cost-of-living index of 93.923 that provides a favorable context for take-home pay. Employers that typically offer the highest compensation include outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those operated by chains like ATI and Athletico, which often balance lower base salaries with performance bonuses tied to productivity metrics. The variation in salaries can largely be attributed to factors like board certifications (such as OCS or SCS), the productivity expectations enforced in clinics, and differences in reimbursement models between cash-pay and insurance-dependent practices. To maximize earning potential in this specific Cleveland market, emerging physical therapists should consider seeking positions that offer clinical ownership opportunities or specialize in high-demand areas such as sports medicine, while also pursuing advanced certifications that command premium salaries.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Cleveland, OH in 2026?
Is Cleveland, OH a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Cleveland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Cleveland?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Cleveland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 $104,030 for physical therapistsin the Cleveland 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