Physical Therapist Salary in Bend, OR: $102,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Bend, OR earns a median $102,255/year (≈ $49.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Bend's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $98,695 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bend, Oregon, physical therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,255 in 2026, which represents a slight decrease compared to the national median of $105,288. The expected salary range for physical therapists in this region spans from $71,620 at the 10th percentile to $132,757 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of compensation based on experience and specialty certifications. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, underscoring the transparent nature of earning potential in Bend. The local job market, with approximately 320 physical therapists currently employed, presents a competitive yet favorable environment for practitioners, particularly as demand for therapy services continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,620 | $34.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,482 | $41.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,255 | $49.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,245 | $61.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,757 | $63.83 |
Median Salary Position
2.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,137 (2026 est.). At $102,255, the local median is 2.88% below the national median of $105,288.
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How Bend Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Bend median: $102,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $104,236 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.88% less |
Physical Therapists in Bend, OR earn a median of $102,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.88% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.90% below the Oregon state average of $104,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 3.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.607 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,255 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,695 — a 3.48% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,710
2025 BLS Actual
$99,800
2026 Current Est.
$102,255
2019–2027 Growth
+31.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 25.2% from $79,710 (2019) to $99,800 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,061 (31.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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) | $71,620 – $85,482 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,482 – $102,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,255 – $127,245 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,245 – $132,757 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Bend
The job market for physical therapy in Bend indicates a promising outlook, characterized by a cost of living index of 103.607. This scenario highlights the necessity for therapists to understand their take-home pay in relation to living expenses while pursuing optimal financial outcomes. Different employers, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, tend to offer varying rates, with private practices often presenting different compensation structures—especially for those accepting cash-pay versus those reliant on insurance reimbursements. Productivity expectations also play a critical role: therapists who meet or exceed visit quotas may see considerably higher earnings. Pursuing board certifications like the OCS or SCS can provide additional stipends that enhance overall pay. For those in Bend, it may be advantageous to explore opportunities with employers that value experience and productivity while being strategic about the settings that align with their financial goals and professional aspirations.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
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 $99,800 for physical therapistsin the Bend 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