Physical Therapist Salary in Wooster, OH: $101,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Wooster, OH earns a median $101,923/year (≈ $49.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Wooster's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $112,374 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wooster, Ohio, where physical therapists have found a unique market, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $101,923, slightly below the national median of $105,288. Salaries within the community vary significantly, with a range spanning from $82,637 to $132,193. This disparity is influenced by the type of employment setting, as outpatient chains typically offer a different pay structure compared to hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. The area's reimbursement landscape often results in varying compensation models, shaping both entry-level and experienced therapists’ earning potential. Factors like productivity expectations and the quality of care can significantly impact financial outlooks, compelling professionals to consider their opportunities carefully in Wooster’s physical therapy job market.
About the Wooster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,637 | $39.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,090 | $42.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,923 | $49.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,299 | $55.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,193 | $63.56 |
Median Salary Position
3.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wooster
In Wooster, OH, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,556 (2026 est.). At $101,923, the local median is 3.2% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wooster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wooster Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Wooster median: $101,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wooster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $105,292 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.20% less |
Physical Therapists in Wooster, OH earn a median of $101,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.20% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.20% below the Ohio state average of $105,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wooster 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.
Wooster, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,923 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,374 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,582
2025 BLS Actual
$99,476
2026 Current Est.
$101,923
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Wooster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,582 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,102 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,564 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,597 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,523 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,994 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,476 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,430 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wooster metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,582 (2019) to $99,476 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,430 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,848 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wooster 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) | $82,637 – $89,090 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,090 – $101,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,923 – $116,299 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,299 – $132,193 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Wooster
The local job market currently supports six physical therapists, which reflects the regional needs for rehabilitation services. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, Wooster's housing and living expenses are lower than the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of physical therapist pay in Wooster, OH. Higher-paying roles can often be found within outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly those associated with larger chains like ATI or Athletico, alongside local home health agencies that might offer competitive rates based on specialized services. The wide range in salaries is affected by various elements such as billing practices, patient load, existing board certifications, and whether practices utilize a cash-pay model versus insurance. Aspiring physical therapists should focus on obtaining specialized certifications, optimizing their productivity metrics, and exploring diverse employment settings to maximize their compensation prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Wooster, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Wooster?
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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 $99,476 for physical therapistsin the Wooster 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 Wooster 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