Physical Therapist Salary in Puerto Rico: $60,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $60,978/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $81,304 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($60,990), Mayaguez ($59,540), Aguadilla ($59,340).
Salary expectations for physical therapists in Puerto Rico in 2026 show a median of $60,978, which is significantly lower than the national median of $105,288, reflecting a 42.1% gap. The highest salaries are found in San Juan at $62,490, while Arecibo offers the lowest at $45,964, resulting in a salary difference of $16,526. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and availability of jobs, which vary from city to city. In Puerto Rico, the job market for physical therapists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.46%, indicating steady demand in the healthcare sector. State licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are similar to those in the mainland U.S., necessitating a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and passing the National Physical Therapy Examination for licensure. The five key metro areas include San Juan, Mayaguez, Aguadilla, Ponce, and Arecibo, with salaries closely reflecting the demand for therapists in those regions. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring physical therapists make informed decisions regarding their career paths in Puerto Rico's healthcare landscape.
Puerto Rico Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $22,377 (lowest entry-level) to $110,298 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico physical therapists earn 42.08% less than the national median ($-44,310/year difference).
Puerto Rico Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Puerto Rico range from $27,551 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $94,742 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,978. The Puerto Rico median is $44,310 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $29.31/hr. Approximately 570 physical therapists are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,102
2025 BLS Actual
$59,514
2026 Current Est.
$60,978
2019–2027 Growth
+41.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,102 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,267 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,431 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,348 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,676 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,514 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,478 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 34.9% from $44,102 (2019) to $59,514 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,478 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,376 (41.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $27,551 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,978 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $94,742 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 5 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Puerto Rico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Puerto Rico?
How many physical therapists are employed in Puerto Rico?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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