Physical Therapist Salary in East Providence, RI: $104,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in East Providence, RI earns a median $104,886/year (≈ $50.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in East Providence's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $104,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Providence, Rhode Island, the projected median annual physical therapist salary for 2026 is estimated at $104,886, slightly below the national average of $105,288. This salary reflects a range spanning from $80,916 at the 10th percentile to $134,181 at the 90th percentile. As a city that features a mix of outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital settings, differences in pay can be attributed to various employment structures, with outpatient chains typically offering less base pay but potentially more in productivity bonuses. Understanding these pay dynamics is crucial for those considering a career in physical therapy in East Providence, where opportunities are currently available.
About the East Providence Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,916 | $38.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,387 | $42.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,886 | $50.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,726 | $59.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,181 | $64.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Providence
In East Providence, RI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,265 (2026 est.). At $104,886, the local median is 0.38% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Providence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Providence Physical Therapist Pay Compares
East Providence median: $104,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $105,839 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.38% less |
Physical Therapists in East Providence, RI earn a median of $104,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.38% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.90% below the Rhode Island state average of $105,839.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Providence has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,886 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,364 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,099
2025 BLS Actual
$102,368
2026 Current Est.
$104,886
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in East Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,099 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,663 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,347 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,618 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,368 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,466 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Providence metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $89,099 (2019) to $102,368 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,367 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Providence 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) | $80,916 – $88,387 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,387 – $104,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,886 – $122,726 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,726 – $134,181 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in East Providence
With only 10 physical therapists employed in the East Providence area, job competition may be manageable yet significant. The cost of living in this region, slightly above the national average with a CoL index of 100.5, implies that take-home pay may not stretch as far as in other locations. Outpatient facilities, particularly chains like Athletico and ATI, often provide lower starting salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab services, which generally offer better compensation packages. Factors driving the pay disparity include performance expectations regarding patient visits and the potential to earn stipends for specialized board certifications such as OCS and SCS. Navigating this marketplace effectively may require seeking employment in environments that reward productivity and flexibility or exploring positions that incorporate cash-pay models, which might afford physical therapists in East Providence higher compensation potential.
More salary data for East Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in East Providence, RI in 2026?
Is East Providence, RI a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in East Providence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in East Providence?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in East Providence?
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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 $102,368 for physical therapistsin the East Providence 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 East Providence 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