Physical Therapist Salary in Decatur, AL: $100,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Decatur, AL earns a median $100,001/year (≈ $48.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $114,664 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, the forecast for physical therapist salary in Decatur has reached a median of $100,001 for 2026, translating to an hourly rate of $48.07. This figure is slightly below the national median of $105,288, indicative of local market pressures. The salary spectrum ranges significantly, from $76,538 at the 10th percentile to $134,417 at the 90th percentile, with a solid middle ground at $92,286 and $122,378 for the 25th and 75th percentiles, respectively. Derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, these figures reflect a local employment landscape that is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.46%. This environment presents unique challenges and opportunities shaped by productivity expectations and the cost of living, influencing the recruitment landscape for physical therapists in Decatur.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,538 | $36.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,286 | $44.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,001 | $48.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,378 | $58.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,417 | $64.62 |
Median Salary Position
5.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,879 (2026 est.). At $100,001, the local median is 5.02% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Decatur median: $100,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $99,405 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.02% less |
Physical Therapists in Decatur, AL earn a median of $100,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.02% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.60% above the Alabama state average of $99,405.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.212 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,664 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,949
2025 BLS Actual
$97,600
2026 Current Est.
$100,001
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,949 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,461 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,949 (2019) to $97,600 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,461 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,512 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,538 – $92,286 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,286 – $100,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,001 – $122,378 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,378 – $134,417 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Decatur
With only 50 physical therapists employed in the area, competition is relatively limited, allowing practitioners to carve out their niches. The cost-of-living index sits at 87.212, suggesting that take-home pay retains a greater purchasing power compared to more expensive cities. To maximize physical therapist pay in Decatur, professionals should consider working in outpatient orthopedic clinics where rates can be augmented by performance bonuses; however, hospitals may offer more stability and higher base salaries. The disparity in earnings often stems from productivity metrics—those who meet or exceed visits-per-day expectations typically see faster salary growth particularly in the increasingly popular cash-pay model versus traditional insurance practices. Additionally, gaining board certifications like OCS or SCS can further elevate earning potential while enhancing professional standing. A combination of strategic job selection and continuous professional development offers the best approach for physical therapists looking to optimize their compensation.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,600 for physical therapistsin the Decatur metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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