Physical Therapist Salary Guide and Career Outlook


The physical therapist salary is $69,749 per year in the United States and £28,836 ($37,168) in the United Kingdom. The same professionals make AU$55,000 ($42,130) in Australia and Rs 355,077 ($5,491) in India. The same job can bring in Canada around C$63,428 ($49,619) every year, while in New Zealand is less, NZ$50,316 ($34,813). However, in South Africa, the median pay for the same work can bring as low as R250,000 ($17,596).

The major factors determining the physical therapist salary are the years of experience, as well as the geographic location, work setting, and job performance.

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make per Year by Country?

The table below shows the average salary and hourly pay of a physical therapist in the respective countries. Also, the salary is listed in the currency of the country. The conversion to U.S. dollars is present in parentheses for all countries other than the United States.

Physical Therapist Salary US Canada UK Australia New Zealand India South Africa
Hourly Pay $38.67 C$35.71 ($27.94) £13.63 ($17.86)* AU$36.00 ($27.58) NZ$31.50 (21.79) Rs 170.71 ($2.64)* R 120.19 ($8.46)*
Annual Pay $69,749 C$63,428 ($49,619) £28,836 ($37,168) AU$55,000 ($42,130) NZ$50,316 ($34,813) Rs 355,077 ($5,491) R250,000 ($17,596)

* The hourly wage was extrapolated from the annual salary.

Physical Therapist Salary Influencing Factors

Payscale.com and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show variances in physical therapist career salaries by country and by state. However, the major factors that influence salary and the job outlook remain the same regardless of geographic location. We will detail below each aspect of the job that affects the salary.

1. Location

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Professional Make in the US?

The states that pay the highest salary are Nevada, Alaska, Texas, California, and New Jersey. Moreover, physical therapists in the United States can expect an annual bonus of $512 to $7,975 and profit sharing of $518 to $9,863. Also, a commission of $1,750 for a total salary of $59,800 to $97,493.

Physical Therapist Salary USA Per Year Per Hour
Minimum $58,006 $30.34
Maximum $89,589 $49.64
Bonus/Tip $7,975 $3.83*
Overtime No additional pay $69.97
Total Pay $59,800 to $97,493

A (*) also indicates that the hourly rate was not available and was extrapolated from the annual pay.

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Professional Make in Canada?

Physical Therapist Salary Canada Per Year Per Hour
Minimum C$40,268 C$30.18
Maximum C$80,924 C$49.13
Bonus/Tip C$2,000 No additional pay
Overtime No additional pay C$75.00
Total Pay C$50,868 to C$87,929

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Professional Make in the UK?

Physical Therapist Salary UK Per Year Per Hour
Minimum £12,000 £5.76*
Maximum £60,000 £28.84*
Bonus/Tip No additional pay No additional pay
Overtime No additional pay No additional pay
Total Pay £12,164 to £80,537

The (*) also indicates that the hourly rate was not available and was extrapolated from the annual pay.

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Professional Make in Australia?

Physical Therapist Salary Australia Per Year Per Hour
Minimum AU$29,361 AU$14.11*
Maximum AU$102,129 AU$49.10*
Bonus/Tip No additional pay No additional pay
Overtime No additional pay AU$35.00
Total Pay AU$30,410 to AU$118,359

A (*) indicates that the hourly rate was not available and was extrapolated from the annual pay.

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Professional Make in New Zealand?

Physical Therapist Salary New Zealand Per Year Per Hour
Minimum NZ$44,000 NZ$21.15*
Maximum NZ$71,000 NZ$34.13*
Bonus/Tip NZ$800 No additional pay
Overtime No additional pay No additional pay
Total Pay NZ$44,000 to NZ$71,000

The (*) also indicates that the hourly rate was not available and was extrapolated from the annual pay.

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Professional Make in India?

Physical Therapist Salary India Per Year Per Hour
Minimum Rs 118,140 Rs 56.79*
Maximum Rs 609,298 Rs 292.93*
Bonus/Tip Rs 3,500 No additional pay
Overtime No additional pay No additional pay
Total Pay Rs 119,186 to Rs 620,545

A (*) also indicates that the hourly rate was not available and was extrapolated from the annual pay.

How Much Does a Physical Therapist Professional Make in South Africa?

Physical Therapist Salary South Africa Per Year Per Hour
Minimum R240,000 R115.38*
Maximum R250,000 R120.19*
Bonus/Tip No additional pay No additional pay
Overtime No additional pay No additional pay
Total Pay R240,000 to R250,000

The (*) indicates that the hourly rate was not available and was extrapolated from the annual pay.

2. Experience

A physical therapist’s salary typically increases with experience. Advancement in the field is more likely for therapists who become board certified or complete a year residency. Physical therapists who participate in continuing education also have the opportunity to advance to the senior level more quickly.

As a US physical therapist works in the field longer and has more independent responsibilities they can expect their salary to increase from $68,000 to $88,000 or more per year.

While the same professionals from Canada can get an entry-level salary of C$65,000 per year, this fluctuates in the years to come, seeing a rise to C$72,000 after 10-20 years experience. Then in their late career, there is a decrease to C$63,000 per year, which is lower than a beginner’s salary.

3. Industry

The highest paid physical therapists work in home healthcare services or in nursing care facilities. Here is what physical therapists in the United States can expect to earn in various work environments:

  • Home healthcare services – $93,200
  • Nursing and residential care facilities – $92,960
  • Hospitals; state, local, and private – $87,010
  • Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists – $81,220

Schedule & Working Hours

For the most part, physical therapists work a typical 40 hour work week. However, schedules can change depending on the work environment. For example, physical therapists who work in a hospital are more likely to have shift work, but physical therapists in physician offices will work during the day. Meanwhile, one in five physical therapists work part-time. Physical therapists take into account the population they serve, the additional staff, and the hours of their office location when their schedules are made.

Bonuses & Benefits

Bonuses and other benefits are generally limited to physical therapists who work full-time. These generally make up a very small proportion of the overall income for physical therapists. They can expect many benefits like insurance, retirement, and paid vacation.

A physical therapists bonus varies by country. Some physical therapists can expect no bonus while others can expect a uniform bonus based on their occupation. Medical insurance is typically the most common benefit across countries.

Country United States Canada United Kingdom Australia New Zealand India South Africa
Medical 78 88 56 33 100
Dental 62 76 11 100
Vision 50 65 100
None 20 12 100 44 67

The table shows percents of the healthcare benefits by country. While the (–) indicates that there is no health care information available.

Career Outlook

Becoming a physical therapist is a very sound choice. Physical therapist jobs in the United States are expected to grow 25% through the year 2026, more than the average for all occupations. This trend will appear in all countries that have an aging demographic because this population will generally require more rehabilitation than the younger population. With an increase in focus on fitness and exercise, physical therapists can also expect to see an increase in patients through sports-related injuries.

The education for a physical therapist is extensive because a Doctor of Physical Therapist degree is required in addition to a bachelor’s degree. The salary for a physical therapist has increased in parallel with the education requirements changing from a Master’s of Physical Therapy to the Doctor of Physical Therapy. The shift to a clinical doctoral degree emphasizes lifelong learning.

Conclusion

Finally, physical therapists are necessary for populations of all ages. The salaries vary by country, but the job outlook is generally favorable. These professionals are expected to continue their education and enjoy a low-stress job with the opportunity for full-time employment. A great perk of being a physical therapist is that it is rewarding to help other people. Moreover, you can also look at the occupational therapist salary for a similar position.

Recent Posts