Physical Therapist Salary in Salem, OR: $102,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Salem, OR earns a median $102,429/year (≈ $49.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Salem's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $98,823 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapists in Salem, Oregon, can anticipate a median annual salary of $102,429 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288 for the same year. Salary ranges for this profession in the city illustrate significant variation, with the lower 10% earning around $81,958 and the top 90% exceeding $133,526. Data obtained from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected for 2026, indicates that the physical therapist salary in Salem reflects a combination of local demand, specialty fields, and the cash-pay trend within sports and orthopedic practices. These factors can significantly influence earning potential, particularly at the higher ends of the pay spectrum as clinics adapt to competitive market dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,958 | $39.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,523 | $41.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,429 | $49.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,143 | $61.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,526 | $64.19 |
Median Salary Position
2.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,568 (2026 est.). At $102,429, the local median is 2.72% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Salem median: $102,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $104,201 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.72% less |
Physical Therapists in Salem, OR earn a median of $102,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.72% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.70% below the Oregon state average of $104,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.65% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.649 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,429 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,823 — a 3.52% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,460
2025 BLS Actual
$99,970
2026 Current Est.
$102,429
2019–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,949 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 25.8% from $79,460 (2019) to $99,970 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,949 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,489 (32.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $81,958 – $85,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,523 – $102,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,429 – $127,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,143 – $133,526 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Salem
In Salem, there are currently 320 physical therapists employed, creating a robust local job market. The cost of living index at 103.649 suggests that while salaries are competitive, they can also be challenged by higher living expenses. To maximize earnings in this environment, physical therapists might consider aligning with outpatient orthopedic clinics, which often provide the highest pay, driven by the productivity expectations tied to unit visits per day and client volume. Specialized certifications, such as OCS and SCS, may command additional stipends while those involved in cash-pay models often have greater earning potential. Understanding the compensation nuances in roles within hospital inpatient rehab versus skilled nursing facilities or home health can further assist physical therapists in determining the best strategies for achieving their desired pay in Salem, OR.
More salary data for Salem, 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 $99,970 for physical therapistsin the Salem 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