Physical Therapist Salary in Lima, OH: $100,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Lima, OH earns a median $100,288/year (≈ $48.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Lima's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $111,842 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For physical therapists in Lima, Ohio, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $100,288, situated just below the national median of $105,288. This figure reflects a full salary spectrum, ranging from $75,165 at the 10th percentile to $121,589 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying potential earnings based on experience and workplace settings. The data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and showcases the compensation dynamics tied to different employment contexts—outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide competitive pay structures, sometimes offset by hospital systems that may offer higher salaries along with better benefits. Given the growing demand for rehabilitation services, Lima's market remains active, providing ample opportunities for practitioners to explore specialized roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,165 | $36.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,712 | $39.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,288 | $48.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,411 | $50.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,589 | $58.45 |
Median Salary Position
4.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,424 (2026 est.). At $100,288, the local median is 4.75% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be above the median
How Lima Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Lima median: $100,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $105,344 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.75% less |
Physical Therapists in Lima, OH earn a median of $100,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.75% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.80% below the Ohio state average of $105,344.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima has a cost of living 10.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.669 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,288 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,842 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,160
2025 BLS Actual
$97,880
2026 Current Est.
$100,288
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 11.0% from $88,160 (2019) to $97,880 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,595 (16.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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) | $75,165 – $81,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,712 – $100,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,288 – $105,411 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,411 – $121,589 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Lima
Evaluating the job market in Lima reveals that approximately 110 physical therapists are currently employed, translating to a moderate competition level for job seekers. The city's cost of living index stands at 89.669, which suggests a more affordable environment for residents, enhancing the purchasing power of salaries earned within the area. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic chains such as Athletico and ATI are known to pay competitively, though hospital systems might offer higher wages alongside robust benefits. The disparity between lower and higher pay is influenced by factors like board specialization certifications, productivity expectations—measured through units per visit—and the practice model employed. Therapists aiming to maximize their pay should consider attaining clinical specializations such as OCS or SCS, exploring cash-pay models to sidestep insurance rate reductions, or even pursuing travel PT positions that tend to offer more lucrative pay rates in specific circumstances.
More salary data for Lima, 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 $97,880 for physical therapistsin the Lima 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