Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Kalamazoo, MI: $48.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Kalamazoo, MI runs $48.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,329 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Kalamazoo's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.8, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,201 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Kalamazoo's physical therapist hourly pay is projected to be $48.24 in 2026, which positions it slightly below the national hourly median of $50.62. This pay level provides an interesting scenario for various work arrangements in the city. For part-time therapists working three days a week, this hourly rate can yield a substantial income, especially in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. For those opting for per-diem work, the compensation can vary widely, with many professionals earning hourly rates between $38.84 at entry level to $62.34 at the upper end of the scale. Such data reflects official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, which will be essential for current practitioners and those entering the field to assess their potential earnings in Kalamazoo.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.84 | $310.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.39 | $331.15 |
| Median (P50) | $48.24 | $385.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.70 | $429.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.34 | $498.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kalamazoo
Based on $48.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.24/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kalamazoo, MI can expect to earn approximately $100,335 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,886. With a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kalamazoo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kalamazoo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,929.53 | $8,361 | $100,335 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,157.72 | $5,017 | $60,201 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $771.81 | $3,345 | $40,134 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Kalamazoo) | $48.24 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI earn a median of $100,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.70% below the Michigan state average of $104,184.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.24/hr = $60,201/year (purchasing power: $63,477).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,335/year (purchasing power: $105,794).
CoL index: 94.84 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Kalamazoo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Kalamazoo grew 7.2% from $43.90/hr (2019) to $47.08/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.42/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kalamazoo 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Kalamazoo
Examining part-time earnings, a physical therapist working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home a noticeable income over time, but it would likely fall short of full-time earnings. Per diem positions offer another layer of financial opportunity, with hourly rates typically billing at $50-$75, which can be particularly lucrative for those willing to take on travel placements that can net between $1,800 and $2,800 per week, including additional stipends. The variety of employer types in Kalamazoo—such as outpatient clinics, hospital systems, and home health agencies—causes significant fluctuations in pay scales. Therapists may find a trade-off in accepting lower hourly wages that include benefits versus pursuing higher pay rates in positions without them. Understanding the local market can help practitioners negotiate effectively. For instance, the consolidation of outpatient orthopedic chains has often resulted in competitive sliding scales, which can impact perceptions of worth in negotiations for physical therapist hourly rates in MI.
More salary data for Kalamazoo, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Kalamazoo in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Kalamazoo?
Are physical therapists in Kalamazoo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Kalamazoo?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Kalamazoo?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Kalamazoo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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