Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO: $49.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Cape Girardeau, MO runs $49.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,890 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Cape Girardeau's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,736 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, physical therapists earn a median hourly rate of $49.47, which positions them slightly below the national average of $50.62. This hourly wage translates to a substantial earning potential for part-time professionals working in environments such as outpatient clinics, rehab units in hospitals, and home health settings. For those considering part-time positions, working three days a week translates to an annual income that can vary based on hours worked and client load. The pay scale for physical therapists in Cape Girardeau ranges from $20.55 for entry-level positions to as much as $63.61 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within the healthcare landscape. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing reliable insights into the financial rewards associated with this career in the local context.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.55 | $164.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.96 | $319.68 |
| Median (P50) | $49.47 | $395.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.84 | $438.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.61 | $508.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Girardeau
Based on $49.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.47/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Girardeau, MO can expect to earn approximately $102,893 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,361. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cape Girardeau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Girardeau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,978.71 | $8,574 | $102,893 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,187.22 | $5,145 | $61,736 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $791.48 | $3,430 | $41,157 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Cape Girardeau) | $49.47 |
| 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 Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $102,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.28% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.70% above the Missouri state average of $102,175.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.47/hr = $61,736/year (purchasing power: $71,721).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,893/year (purchasing power: $119,534).
CoL index: 86.078 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Cape Girardeau grew 15.9% from $41.65/hr (2019) to $48.28/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.68/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 Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau
Delving into the part-time earning potential, a physical therapist working three days a week for about 24 hours may expect to take home around $61,800 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still a viable income. For those who opt for per diem roles, such as agency or locum positions, the pay can be quite lucrative; per diem physical therapists in Cape Girardeau often charge between $50 and $75 per hour. Furthermore, travel PT contracts can yield anywhere from $1,800 to $2,800 per week, including various stipends. The hourly rates also exhibit variability across employer types in the region; outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer lower compensation than hospital systems, which often provide added benefits like health insurance. This presents a benefits trade-off; some therapists may choose a position with a lower hourly rate for job security and comprehensive health coverage. Negotiation becomes key in maximizing hourly pay, especially when considering the financial landscape of physical therapist hourly pay in Cape Girardeau.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Cape Girardeau in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Cape Girardeau?
Are physical therapists in Cape Girardeau paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Cape Girardeau?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Cape Girardeau?
Related Pages
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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 Cape Girardeau. 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