Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Rawlins, WY: $73,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Rawlins, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,579 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rawlins's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,805 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($95,599) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapy field in Rawlins, Wyoming, can expect starting salaries around $73,579, which is significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $95,599. This represents a substantial gap of nearly $22,000, indicating that fresh graduates may face challenges in achieving higher earnings immediately. However, with increasing experience, they can anticipate growth in their salaries, progressing to approximately $80,227 after a couple of years and eventually reaching the median as they gain expertise. With a projected growth rate of 2.46% annually, Rawlins presents a reasonable market for new graduates, especially given the low cost of living index of 95.8, which can make the starting physical therapist salary in Rawlins more feasible in the context of local expenses.
About the Rawlins Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rawlins
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 Rawlins
Entry-level physical therapists in Rawlins, WY typically start between $73,579 and $80,227 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $48,490 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $95,599 — 9.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Wyoming of $95,000 represents just 129.11% of the starting physical therapist pay ($73,579/year) in Rawlins. 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 Rawlins
- 1Research the Rawlins market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $73,579 to $80,227, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Rawlins, 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 Rawlins for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Rawlins'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 Rawlins is $48,490 ( 65.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,579, experienced hygienists can earn up to $122,069.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,829
2025 BLS Actual
$71,812
2026 Current Est.
$73,579
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Rawlins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,829 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,678 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,389 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Rawlins, WY grew 24.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,829 in 2019 to $71,812 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $75,389. New graduates entering the Rawlins job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rawlins 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 Rawlins
Employers in Rawlins that actively seek new grad physical therapists include outpatient orthopedic chains, which typically have structured onboarding and productivity-based compensation models. These chains may offer lower starting salaries initially, but often compensate with bonuses based on performance. Alternatively, hospital systems provide valuable residency programs, enabling young professionals to work towards board certification while gaining clinical experience. Skilled nursing facilities, like Genesis and RehabCare, tend to offer higher starting pay for recent graduates. To enhance their earnings potential, candidates should focus on obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and passing the NPTE national exam for licensure in Wyoming. Engaging in residency or fellowship programs can further elevate their career trajectory by leading to board specialization in areas such as orthopedic clinical specialization (OCS) or sports clinical specialization (SCS). Given the competitive nature of this field, new PTs in Rawlins should aim for steady salary growth during the first few years, adapting to evolving reimbursement pressures and embracing emerging practice trends.
More salary data for Rawlins, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Rawlins. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rawlins is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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