Physical Therapist Salary in Newport News, VA: $105,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Newport News, VA earns a median $105,735/year (≈ $50.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Newport News's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $102,456 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For physical therapists in Newport News, Virginia, the projected median annual pay stands at $105,735 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $105,288. Salary figures in the area reflect a range from $81,552 at the 10th percentile to $144,240 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a competitive market for physical therapist compensation. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, suggest that practitioners can anticipate opportunities for earnings growth, particularly given the area's rising demand for rehabilitation services. As productivity expectations in the field rise, the pressure to maximize visits per day will be a key factor influencing hourly compensation and overall job satisfaction.
About the Newport News Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,552 | $39.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,147 | $43.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,735 | $50.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,240 | $69.34 |
Median Salary Position
0.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport News
In Newport News, VA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,688 (2026 est.). At $105,735, the local median is 0.42% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport News: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport News Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Newport News median: $105,735/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport News Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $104,895 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.42% more |
Physical Therapists in Newport News, VA earn a median of $105,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.80% above the Virginia state average of $104,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport News has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport News, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,735 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,456 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,819
2025 BLS Actual
$103,196
2026 Current Est.
$105,735
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,819 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,396 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,135 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,133 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,803 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,196 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,336 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport News metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $89,819 (2019) to $103,196 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,336 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,517 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News 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) | $81,552 – $90,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,147 – $105,735 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,735 – $127,810 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,810 – $144,240 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Newport News
The local job market for physical therapists seems stable, with approximately 39 professionals currently employed in Newport News. The cost of living index of 103.2 indicates that living expenses are somewhat above the national average, which can affect overall purchasing power. Among key employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer competitive wages, with chains such as ATI and Athletico, though many hospital systems provide benefits that can significantly boost earnings through productivity incentives. Factors such as board specialization certifications, clinic ownership, and the approach to insurance versus cash-pay models contribute to the spectrum of salaries. For maximizing pay in this market, obtaining relevant specializations like OCS or SCS and engaging in high-demand areas such as home health or sports medicine could present lucrative opportunities for both new and seasoned physical therapists in Newport News, VA.
More salary data for Newport News, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Newport News, VA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Newport News?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Newport News?
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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 $103,196 for physical therapistsin the Newport News 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 Newport News 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