Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Billings, MT: $82,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,480 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $88,189 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($99,407) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates stepping into the role of a physical therapist in Billings, Montana, can expect an entry-level physical therapist salary ranging from $82,480 to around $84,079. While this starting pay is below the city's median annual salary of $99,407, it does reflect realistic expectations for recent Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates. With a growth trajectory that leads from initial earnings to higher median salaries within their first three to five years, Billings presents a promising market for young professionals. The growth rate of 2.46% suggests that there is room for advancement in the field, making it a proactive time for those entering physical therapy to establish themselves in a supportive community and career path.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
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 Billings
Entry-level physical therapists in Billings, MT typically start between $82,480 and $84,079 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $42,870 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $99,407 — 5.59% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Montana of $100,000 represents just 121.24% of the starting physical therapist pay ($82,480/year) in Billings. 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 Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $82,480 to $84,079, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, 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 Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings's below-average 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 Billings is $42,870 ( 51.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,480, experienced hygienists can earn up to $125,350.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,410
2025 BLS Actual
$80,500
2026 Current Est.
$82,480
2019–2027 Growth
+27.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,509 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 21.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $66,410 in 2019 to $80,500 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,509. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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 Billings
In Billings, those looking to secure their first roles as physical therapists will find several employers that actively recruit fresh graduates, particularly outpatient orthopedic chains and hospital systems that often provide structured productivity ramps and valuable residency programs. Facilities like Genesis and RehabCare may also be appealing options, offering slightly higher starting pay and focused rehabilitation services. To enhance earning potential, new professionals should focus on obtaining a DPT from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTE national exam, and various board specializations (like OCS or SCS) through additional residency programs. Experienced practitioners can attest that the first three years in this career typically yield gradual salary increases as professionals navigate productivity expectations and compensation structures shaped by reimbursement changes in the industry, particularly among consolidated outpatient chains like Select Medical and Athletico. Thus, while new grad physical therapist pay in MT starts at a modest level, strategic career planning can lead to significant professional growth and satisfying compensation over time.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapists in Billings in 2026?
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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 Billings. 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