Senior Physical Therapist Salary in Cedar City, UT: $124,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapists working in Cedar City, UT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $124,100/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1123. Strip back Cedar City's price premium (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $126,504 in average-cost America. The 24% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior physical therapists in Cedar City can anticipate a robust annual salary with a median of $100,253 in 2026, showcasing the financial rewards associated with experience and specialization in the field. For those operating at the upper end of the salary spectrum, a top physical therapist salary in Cedar City could reach as high as $124,100. This is significantly above the national average for senior roles, providing a clear incentive for professionals to focus on gaining expertise and credentials that elevate their standing, such as board certifications in orthopedic (OCS) or neurologic (NCS) therapy. The considerable gap between the median salary and these higher earners illustrates the potential impact of advanced training and experience within the local healthcare market.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar City
Experienced physical therapists at the top of the pay scale in Cedar City earn between $114,545 and $124,100 per year (2026 est.). This $47,434 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Cedar City median of $100,253 sits 4.78% below the US median.
Top PT Salary Comparison
| Level | Cedar City | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $100,253 | $105,288 |
| 75th Percentile | $114,545 | $124,141 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $124,100 | $138,464 |
In Cedar City, experienced physical therapists (P90) earn 23.79% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Pay in Cedar City
Advanced Certifications in Utah
UT physical therapists with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $100,253 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Cedar City employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Cedar City command premium compensation, often reaching the $114,545–$124,100 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Cedar City metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapists in Cedar City with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapists in Utah who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Career & Wage Growth Path in Cedar City
Clinical Physical Therapist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCedar City ranks #30 of 41 Utah cities for top earner physical therapist salary (90th percentile: $124,100).
Top 10% physical therapist compensation in Cedar City ($124,100) is 10.73% below the Utah average P90 ($139,015).
2019 BLS Actual
$111,799
2025 BLS Actual
$121,120
2026 Current Est.
$124,100
2019–2027 Growth
+13.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,923 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,465 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,757 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,152 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapists (90th percentile) in Cedar City saw their compensation grow 8.3% from $111,799 in 2019 to $121,120 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.46% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $127,152 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar City 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Earnings in Cedar City
In Cedar City, core specialties such as orthopedic, sports, and geriatric physical therapy command premium salaries that can augment senior physical therapist pay in Utah. Differences in compensation often arise based on the type of employer; outpatient clinics typically operate with productivity-based models that may limit initial salaries but offer bonuses for clinic profitability, while hospital inpatient rehab and skilled nursing facilities might offer more stable, higher initial pay structures. Career advancement is highly viable for those with aspirations to step into roles like clinic director or even regional managerial positions, particularly if they pursue additional education, such as a DPT from a CAPTE-accredited program or achieve board specialization credentials. Furthermore, non-salary factors also influence overall compensation, including benefits linked to clinic ownership equity and productivity expectations. Ultimately, experienced physical therapists must strategically navigate these factors to optimize their professional trajectories and earnings within Cedar City's evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapists make in Cedar City in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist pay in Cedar City?
What certifications boost physical therapist salary in Cedar City?
Can experienced physical therapists make six figures in Cedar City?
How much does physical therapist salary increase over time in Cedar City?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $121,120 for physical therapists in the Cedar City metro area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar City 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