Physical Therapist Pay

Little Rock vs Sherwood: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Little Rock, AR
$102,399
$49.23/hr
Sherwood, AR
$99,490
$47.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARSherwood, AR
Median Salary$102,399$99,490
Hourly Rate$49.23$47.83
Entry Level (P10)$75,452$73,536
25th Percentile$81,609$85,236
75th Percentile$115,831$117,728
Top Earner (P90)$129,591$129,810
Total Employed1,0407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($102,399) and Sherwood ($99,490) physical therapist salaries.Little RockSherwoodMedian Salary$102,399$99,490Entry Level (P10)$75,452$73,536Top Earner (P90)$129,591$129,810US Median $105,288

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sherwood.

The salary gap between Little Rock and Sherwood is $2,909 (2.92%). Little Rock's median is -2.74% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Little Rock spans $54,139,Sherwood spans $56,274. Sherwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$75,452
P25$81,609
Median$102,399
P75$115,831
P90 (Top)$129,591
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, Little Rock ($114,586 effective) pays 0.09% more than Sherwood ($114,488 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $102,399
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $114,586
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 Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,399/year)
  • Larger job market (1,040 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,586)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($129,810)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Little Rock grew 24.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.7% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+24.0%

$80,570 (2019) → $99,940 (2025)

Sherwood, AR

+30.7%

$74,299 (2024) → $97,101 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Little Rock or Sherwood?

Little Rock has a higher median physical therapist salary at $102,399/year, compared to Sherwood at $99,490/year — a difference of $2,909 (2.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Little Rock and Sherwood?

Little Rock physical therapists earn $49.23/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $47.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Little Rock to Sherwood as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $114,586, Sherwood = $114,488), job availability (1,040 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $75,452 in Little Rock and $73,536 in Sherwood. The Little Rock 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