Physical Therapist Salary in Fairmont, WV: $91,694 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Fairmont, WV earns a median $91,694/year (≈ $44.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Fairmont's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $106,005 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salary in Fairmont, WV, is projected to be $91,694 annually, significantly lower than the national median salary of $105,288. This figure encompasses a salary range from $75,917 at the 10th percentile to $113,923 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability depending on the specific employer and practice setting. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the dynamics of the market, influenced by whether therapists work in outpatient chains, hospital settings, or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Outpatient clinics often offer more competitive pay structures, albeit with expectations for higher productivity, while hospital systems may provide better base salaries but can vary in additional incentives.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,917 | $36.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,545 | $38.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,694 | $44.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,566 | $50.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,923 | $54.78 |
Median Salary Position
12.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairmont
In Fairmont, WV, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,006 (2026 est.). At $91,694, the local median is 12.91% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairmont: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairmont Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Fairmont median: $91,694/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairmont Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $98,489 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -12.91% less |
Physical Therapists in Fairmont, WV earn a median of $91,694 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.91% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $98,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairmont has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairmont, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $91,694 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,005 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,892
2025 BLS Actual
$89,492
2026 Current Est.
$91,694
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,892 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,259 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,274 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,103 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,836 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,444 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,492 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,694 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,949 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairmont metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $77,892 (2019) to $89,492 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,949 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,057 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairmont 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) | $75,917 – $80,545 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,545 – $91,694 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,694 – $105,566 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,566 – $113,923 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Fairmont
The job market for physical therapists in Fairmont is relatively small, with only four professionals employed in the area, indicating niche opportunities. The area's cost of living index, at 86.5, suggests that while salaries are lower compared to national benchmarks, residents may experience a more favorable purchasing power. Employers like outpatient orthopedic clinics, home health agencies, and sports medicine clinics may present the highest compensation rates, as these settings can command higher patient volumes and offer flexibility in practice models. The disparity between lower and higher pay rates typically relates to productivity expectations, board certifications like the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), and differences in compensation structure, such as cash-pay vs. insurance models. To maximize physical therapist pay in Fairmont, pursuing further specialization, focusing on patient volume, and considering employment at high-volume outpatient facilities can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $89,492 for physical therapistsin the Fairmont 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 Fairmont 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