Physical Therapist Salary in Shaker Heights, OH: $101,557 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Shaker Heights, OH earns a median $101,557/year (≈ $48.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Shaker Heights's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $111,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapy roles in Shaker Heights command a median annual salary of $101,557, reflecting the area's competitive market amidst national trends. These earnings range widely, from $82,064 at the lower end to $130,747 for top earners, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected for 2026 alongside local cost adjustments. While the median salary remains slightly below the national average of $105,288, expectations for productivity, including visits-per-day metrics, play a significant role in influencing effective hourly compensation. As physical therapists navigate their careers in Shaker Heights, understanding these financial dynamics becomes essential to success in this vibrant job market.
About the Shaker Heights Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,064 | $39.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,332 | $42.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,557 | $48.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,518 | $55.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,747 | $62.86 |
Median Salary Position
3.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shaker Heights
In Shaker Heights, OH, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,683 (2026 est.). At $101,557, the local median is 3.54% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shaker Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shaker Heights Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Shaker Heights median: $101,557/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shaker Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $105,350 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.54% less |
Physical Therapists in Shaker Heights, OH earn a median of $101,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.60% below the Ohio state average of $105,350.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shaker 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.
Shaker Heights, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,557 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,970 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,271
2025 BLS Actual
$99,119
2026 Current Est.
$101,557
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Shaker Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,271 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,232 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,258 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,177 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,711 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,557 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,056 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shaker Heights metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,271 (2019) to $99,119 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,056 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,785 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shaker 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) | $82,064 – $88,332 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,332 – $101,557 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,557 – $115,518 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,518 – $130,747 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Shaker Heights
Limited to just seven employed physical therapists in the area, the local job market reveals both challenges and opportunities. With a cost-of-living index at 90.7, therapists have critical considerations regarding their take-home pay and purchasing power in Shaker Heights, OH. Among potential employers, outpatient clinics such as Athletico and other orthopedic practices may offer higher pay, but they often come with productivity quotas that can create pressure on staff. The disparity between lower and higher salaries within the field can be attributed to factors like specialty board certification stipends (e.g., OCS or SCS), the model of practice (cash-pay versus insurance), and potential equity stakes for clinic owners. To maximize income in this micro-market, physical therapists might focus on building specialty qualifications, actively pursuing productivity targets, and considering alternative practice settings that align more favorably with compensation strategies.
More salary data for Shaker Heights, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Shaker Heights, OH in 2026?
Is Shaker Heights, OH a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Shaker Heights?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Shaker Heights?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Shaker 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 $99,119 for physical therapistsin the Shaker 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 Shaker 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