Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Allentown, PA: $51.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Allentown, PA runs $51.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,917 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Allentown's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,152 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Allentown, Pennsylvania can expect a median hourly pay of $51.40, slightly above the national median of $50.62. This competitive rate positions physical therapy practice favorably within the area's healthcare settings, allowing part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, to earn a substantial income across outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. The projected hourly pay range for physical therapists in Allentown sees entry-level employees earning around $38.63 while experienced practitioners can command as much as $65.21 per hour. These official BLS numbers, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflect the continued demand for skilled rehabilitation professionals throughout the region.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.63 | $309.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.52 | $332.13 |
| Median (P50) | $51.40 | $411.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.16 | $473.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.21 | $521.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Allentown
Based on $51.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.40/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Allentown, PA can expect to earn approximately $106,921 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,685. With a cost-of-living index of 99.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Allentown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Allentown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,056.17 | $8,910 | $106,921 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,233.70 | $5,346 | $64,152 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $822.47 | $3,564 | $42,768 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Allentown) | $51.40 |
| 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 Allentown, PA earn a median of $106,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 3.20% above the Pennsylvania state average of $103,602.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.40/hr = $64,152/year (purchasing power: $64,173).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,921/year (purchasing power: $106,955).
CoL index: 99.968 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Allentown grew 22.6% from $40.93/hr (2019) to $50.17/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.67/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 Allentown 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 Allentown
Exploring the financial dynamics of a part-time physical therapist's earnings in Allentown reveals that those working 24 hours a week could still achieve a commendable pay while balancing other commitments. This setup can yield a significant annual total, especially compared to a full-time position; many may find the flexibility appealing. Additionally, per diem physical therapist pay in Allentown can vary widely, often ranging from $50 to $75 per hour, with opportunities for travel PT contracts offering lucrative weekly earnings between $1,800 and $2,800, inclusive of various stipends. As hourly rates fluctuate based on the employer type—be it outpatient clinics, hospital systems, or specialized practices—physical therapists might need to assess whether accepting a lower hourly rate in exchange for health benefits aligns with their career goals. For those negotiating their pay in Allentown, understanding local reimbursement models and the balance of cash-pay versus insurance-based practices becomes essential as they determine their worth in this evolving market.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
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
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 Allentown. 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