Physical Therapist Salary in Portland, OR: $108,864 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Portland, OR earns a median $108,864/year (≈ $52.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $103,266 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Portland, Oregon, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $108,864, reflecting a compensation rate that exceeds the national average by approximately 3.40%. Salary ranges for this occupation vary widely, from $84,294 at the 10th percentile to $137,921 at the 90th percentile, indicative of the diverse employment scenarios and productivity expectations across the region. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight the competitive environment for physical therapists in Portland, which emphasizes effective management of patient visit volumes to optimize earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,294 | $40.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,431 | $45.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,864 | $52.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,440 | $63.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,921 | $66.31 |
Median Salary Position
3.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,627 (2026 est.). At $108,864, the local median is 3.4% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Portland median: $108,864/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $104,176 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +3.40% more |
Physical Therapists in Portland, OR earn a median of $108,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.40% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 4.50% above the Oregon state average of $104,176.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,864 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,266 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,260
2025 BLS Actual
$106,250
2026 Current Est.
$108,864
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,864 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,542 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 20.4% from $88,260 (2019) to $106,250 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,282 (26.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $84,294 – $95,431 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,431 – $108,864 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,864 – $132,440 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,440 – $137,921 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Portland
With about 1,810 physical therapists currently employed in the area, Portland's job market presents a solid foundation for professionals in the field. The cost of living index stands at 105.421, slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers offering the highest salaries often include hospital systems and specialized clinics, such as outpatient orthopedic practices or sports medicine facilities. The disparity between lower and higher pay can be attributed to factors like patient load, reimbursement models, and additional board certifications like OCS or SCS, which can command a stipend. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, strategies include pursuing opportunities in higher-paying settings, focusing on productivity metrics, enhancing skill sets through specialization, and considering travel PT roles that frequently offer premium pay.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Portland, OR in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Portland?
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Related Pages
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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 $106,250 for physical therapistsin the Portland 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