Physical Therapist Salary in Staunton, VA: $105,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Staunton, VA earns a median $105,370/year (≈ $50.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $115,629 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Staunton, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $105,370, which is slightly above the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession spans from $71,999 at the 10th percentile to $125,237 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a competitive landscape reflecting various employer types. The earning potential can vary significantly depending on whether therapists are employed by outpatient clinics, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities, each of which offers different pay structures due to their unique operational requirements. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights opportunities for growth in the field, especially as the demand for physical therapy services continues to rise in Staunton's healthcare ecosystem.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,999 | $34.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,484 | $40.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,733 | $58.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,237 | $60.21 |
Median Salary Position
0.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,238 (2026 est.). At $105,370, the local median is 0.08% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be above the median
How Staunton Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Staunton median: $105,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $104,950 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.08% more |
Physical Therapists in Staunton, VA earn a median of $105,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.40% above the Virginia state average of $104,950.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $105,370 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,629 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,300
2025 BLS Actual
$102,840
2026 Current Est.
$105,370
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,962 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 15.2% from $89,300 (2019) to $102,840 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,962 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,662 (20.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $71,999 – $83,484 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,484 – $105,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,370 – $121,733 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,733 – $125,237 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Staunton
Looking at the local market, there are approximately 100 physical therapists employed in Staunton, VA, indicating a stable demand for this profession in the area. The cost of living index is 91.128, which is below the national average, suggesting that therapists may enjoy a heightened purchasing power relative to their salaries. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide lucrative opportunities, but positions in hospital inpatient rehab and skilled nursing facilities may offer better compensation and benefits. A significant disparity exists within the pay range due to factors such as productivity expectations, the presence of board specialization (e.g., OCS, SCS), and employment type (cash-pay vs. insurance models). To maximize earnings, new professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications, exploring roles in higher-paying settings, and negotiating contracts that emphasize productivity while factoring in local market conditions.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Staunton, VA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Staunton?
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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 $102,840 for physical therapistsin the Staunton 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
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