Physical Therapist Salary in Virginia: $104,040 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $104,040/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $100,814 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Radford ($103,529), Newport News ($103,196), Staunton ($102,840).
In Virginia, the average median salary for physical therapists is projected to be $104,040 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288, reflecting a -1.2% difference. The highest-paying city, Radford, offers a salary of $106,076, while Falls Church has the lowest salary at $96,742, showcasing a salary gap of $9,334 between these locations. Factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local competition influence these salary differences. Virginia's state licensing requirements for physical therapists are fairly standard but can include specific examinations and continuing education mandates, which can affect job readiness and market entry. The state's scope of practice laws also grant physical therapists in Virginia extensive responsibilities, further driving demand within the healthcare sector. The total employment of physical therapists in Virginia is projected at 4,470, with a growth rate of 2.46% annually, indicating a stable job market. Top cities for employment include Newport News at $105,735, Staunton at $105,370, Richmond at $105,226, and Winchester at $105,196. Overall, the outlook for physical therapists in Virginia remains positive, driven by an ongoing need for rehabilitation and preventive healthcare services.
Virginia Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $66,507 (lowest entry-level) to $146,701 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia physical therapists earn 1.19% less than the national median ($-1,248/year difference).
Virginia Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Virginia range from $74,885 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $130,676 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,040. The Virginia median is $1,248 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $50.02/hr. Approximately 4,470 physical therapists are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$91,882
2025 BLS Actual
$101,542
2026 Current Est.
$104,040
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,882 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,939 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,108 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,629 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,542 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,040 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,600 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 10.5% from $91,882 (2019) to $101,542 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,600 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,718 (16.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $96,742 |
| Herndon | $98,281 |
| Williamsburg | $99,353 |
| Annandale | $99,545 |
| Waynesboro | $99,677 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg | $104,970 | 89.363 | $117,465 |
| Staunton | $105,370 | 91.128 | $115,629 |
| Blacksburg | $104,253 | 92.71 | $112,451 |
| Winchester | $105,196 | 96.45 | $109,068 |
| Harrisonburg | $103,300 | 94.892 | $108,861 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,885 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,040 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $130,676 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radford | $106,076 |
| 2 | Newport News | $105,735 |
| 3 | Staunton | $105,370 |
| 4 | Richmond | $105,226 |
| 5 | Winchester | $105,196 |
| 6 | Lynchburg | $104,970 |
| 7 | Charlottesville | $104,919 |
| 8 | Norfolk | $104,863 |
| 9 | Hampton | $104,802 |
| 10 | Alexandria | $104,623 |
| 11 | Centreville | $104,315 |
| 12 | Blacksburg | $104,253 |
| 13 | Chesapeake | $103,721 |
| 14 | Burke | $103,608 |
| 15 | Bristol | $103,444 |
| 16 | Virginia Beach | $103,321 |
| 17 | Harrisonburg | $103,300 |
| 18 | Suffolk | $103,160 |
| 19 | Tuckahoe | $102,867 |
| 20 | Ashburn | $102,719 |
| 21 | McLean | $102,712 |
| 22 | Reston | $102,602 |
| 23 | Danville | $102,582 |
| 24 | Fredericksburg | $102,142 |
| 25 | Dale City | $102,121 |
| 26 | Manassas | $102,011 |
| 27 | Salem | $101,726 |
| 28 | Leesburg | $101,581 |
| 29 | Portsmouth | $101,522 |
| 30 | Mechanicsville | $101,361 |
| 31 | Roanoke | $101,200 |
| 32 | Springfield | $101,002 |
| 33 | Woodbridge | $100,864 |
| 34 | Sterling | $100,668 |
| 35 | Lake Ridge | $100,538 |
| 36 | Linton Hall | $100,424 |
| 37 | Fairfax | $100,166 |
| 38 | Waynesboro | $99,677 |
| 39 | Annandale | $99,545 |
| 40 | Williamsburg | $99,353 |
| 41 | Herndon | $98,281 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $96,742 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Virginia?
How does Virginia physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Virginia?
How many physical therapists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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