Physical Therapist Salary in Altoona, PA: $100,114 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Altoona, PA earns a median $100,114/year (≈ $48.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $111,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the anticipated compensation for physical therapists in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is projected at $100,114 annually, which is slightly below the national average of $105,288. This locality presents a salary range from $75,206 at the 10th percentile to $124,171 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities depending on employer structures. Those seeking to enter outpatient chains, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities may find varied pay implications. Outpatient settings often emphasize high productivity standards, while hospitals might offer more consistent pay coupled with benefits. Countless factors influence final compensation figures, highlighting the competitive landscape in Altoona's physical therapy job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,206 | $36.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,068 | $40.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,114 | $48.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,737 | $54.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,171 | $59.69 |
Median Salary Position
4.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,965 (2026 est.). At $100,114, the local median is 4.91% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be above the median
How Altoona Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Altoona median: $100,114/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $103,637 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.91% less |
Physical Therapists in Altoona, PA earn a median of $100,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.91% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $103,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 89.507 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,114 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,850 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,560
2025 BLS Actual
$97,710
2026 Current Est.
$100,114
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,114 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.8% from $81,560 (2019) to $97,710 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,016 (25.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $75,206 – $84,068 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,068 – $100,114 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,114 – $112,737 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,737 – $124,171 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Altoona
With 150 physical therapists currently working in the area, the local labor market appears robust. The cost of living in Altoona, indicated by a CoL index of 89.507, suggests that salaries may stretch further compared to more expensive regions. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as ATI and Athletico may offer lower base salaries but can provide bonuses for productivity, significantly impacting overall earnings. In contrast, hospital inpatient rehabilitation roles tend to come with higher salaries due to the specialized skill requirements and potential for additional certifications like OCS or SCS. To maximize physical therapist pay in Altoona, pursuing further specialization and considering the shift towards cash-pay models could enhance earning potential, especially amidst rising productivity demands in an evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Altoona, PA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Altoona?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Altoona?
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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 $97,710 for physical therapistsin the Altoona 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