Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Boise City, ID: $81,066 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Boise City, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,066 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Boise City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.4 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,392 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,583) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapy field in Boise City, Idaho, can anticipate starting salaries around $81,066 annually in 2026. This entry-level figure is relatively close to the overall median salary of $102,583 for physical therapists in the city, highlighting a gap that is both manageable and indicative of potential for growth. Over the first few years of practice, new therapists can realistically expect incremental increases in their salaries, moving from the entry-level rate to about $92,870 within three to five years. Given the city's lower-than-average cost of living index, Boise City remains a promising market for fresh graduates, who can leverage the competitive compensation alongside a supportive community of healthcare professionals.
Career Earnings Timeline in Boise City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boise City
Entry-level physical therapists in Boise City, ID typically start between $81,066 and $92,870 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,458 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,583 — 2.57% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Idaho of $95,000 represents just 117.19% of the starting physical therapist pay ($81,066/year) in Boise City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Boise City
- 1Research the Boise City market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $81,066 to $92,870, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Boise City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Boise City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Boise City's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Boise City is $44,458 ( 54.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,066, experienced hygienists can earn up to $125,524.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,290
2025 BLS Actual
$79,120
2026 Current Est.
$81,066
2019–2027 Growth
+61.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Boise City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,066 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,061 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Boise City, ID grew 54.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,290 in 2019 to $79,120 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,061. New graduates entering the Boise City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise 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.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Boise City
Employers in Boise City that actively hire new graduates include outpatient orthopedic chains, which tend to offer structured productivity ramps to ease early-career challenges. These organizations often provide flexibility, although they might not match the initial pay offered by hospital systems with residency programs that lead to board certification. Facilities like skilled nursing centers may also offer more attractive starting salaries, encouraging new grads to consider various employment settings. To enhance their earning potential, early-career physical therapists should focus on earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTE national exam, and acquiring a state PT license. In years one to three, realistic salary growth expectations can range significantly based on the chosen employment path and additional credentials, such as completing residency or fellowship programs that enable specialization in areas like orthopedic or sports therapy, aligning with trends in the profession and demands for various practice settings.
More salary data for Boise City, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Boise City in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist salaries grow in Boise City?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Boise City?
What do new physical therapists make right out of school in Boise City?
How do I become a physical therapist in Idaho?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Boise City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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