Physical Therapist Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $101,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $101,978/year (≈ $49.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $104,700 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $101,978, which reflects a competitive figure within the local job market, though slightly below the national average of $105,288. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $77,111 at the 10th percentile to $129,321 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse scope of pay based on experience, specialization, and practice model preferences. These figures, compiled from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the influence of trends in cash-pay sports and orthopedic specialties, which often drive higher compensation at the top end of the pay scale. Understanding the evolving market in Wilkes-Barre can help new graduates and established therapists alike position themselves effectively for various opportunities.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,111 | $37.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,022 | $40.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,978 | $49.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,397 | $56.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,321 | $62.17 |
Median Salary Position
3.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,210 (2026 est.). At $101,978, the local median is 3.14% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $101,978/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $103,637 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.14% less |
Physical Therapists in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $101,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.14% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $103,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,978 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,700 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,629
2025 BLS Actual
$99,530
2026 Current Est.
$101,978
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,149 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,576 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,629 (2019) to $99,530 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,858 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $77,111 – $85,022 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,022 – $101,978 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,978 – $118,397 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,397 – $129,321 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
In the 2026 job market, there are currently 11 physical therapists employed in Wilkes-Barre, suggesting a niche but stable demand for this profession. The cost-of-living index of 97.4 indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which positively impacts the purchasing power of take-home salaries. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly notable chains like ATI and Athletico, tend to offer competitive pay, although they often tie compensation to productivity metrics, which may influence total earnings through bonuses and incentives. Broadly, the variation in pay can be attributed to clinic ownership, board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the choice between cash-pay and insurance-based practices. For those looking to maximize their pay in Wilkes-Barre, pursuing specialization or considering travel PT positions can yield substantial advantages, especially in a landscape marked by evolving reimbursement policies and productivity demands.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
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 $99,530 for physical therapistsin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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