Physical Therapist Pay

Fayetteville vs Sherwood: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Fayetteville, AR and Sherwood, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$107,071
$51.48/hr
Sherwood, AR
$99,490
$47.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARSherwood, AR
Median Salary$107,071$99,490
Hourly Rate$51.48$47.83
Entry Level (P10)$83,177$73,536
25th Percentile$98,259$85,236
75th Percentile$115,308$117,728
Top Earner (P90)$131,046$129,810
Total Employed4307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($107,071) and Sherwood ($99,490) physical therapist salaries.FayettevilleSherwoodMedian Salary$107,071$99,490Entry Level (P10)$83,177$73,536Top Earner (P90)$131,046$129,810US Median $105,288

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sherwood.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Sherwood is $7,581 (7.62%). Fayetteville's median is +1.69% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $47,869,Sherwood spans $56,274. Sherwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$83,177
P25$98,259
Median$107,071
P75$115,308
P90 (Top)$131,046
Sherwood
P10 (Entry)$73,536
P25$85,236
Median$99,490
P75$117,728
P90 (Top)$129,810

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($117,206 effective) pays 2.37% more than Sherwood ($114,488 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $107,071
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $117,206
Sherwood
Nominal: $99,490
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $114,488

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,071/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,046)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,206)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Fayetteville grew 16.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.7% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+16.8%

$89,440 (2019) → $104,500 (2025)

Sherwood, AR

+30.7%

$74,299 (2024) → $97,101 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Fayetteville or Sherwood?

Fayetteville has a higher median physical therapist salary at $107,071/year, compared to Sherwood at $99,490/year — a difference of $7,581 (7.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Sherwood?

Fayetteville physical therapists earn $51.48/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $47.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to Sherwood as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $117,206, Sherwood = $114,488), job availability (430 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Fayetteville vs Sherwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $83,177 in Fayetteville and $73,536 in Sherwood. The Fayetteville area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov