Physical Therapist Salary in Surprise, AZ: $105,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Surprise, AZ earns a median $105,531/year (≈ $50.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Surprise's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $107,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Among physical therapists working in Surprise, Arizona, the projected median salary for 2026 is $105,531, slightly above the national median of $105,288. This competitive compensation reflects the evolving landscape of cash-pay practices in the sports and orthopedic sectors, significantly boosting top earners who can achieve salaries as high as $141,844. With a salary range spanning from $80,189 at the lower ten percentile to the upper limit, very few professionals earn lower than the 25th percentile threshold of $88,740, indicating a strong local market for skilled therapists. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, offer a glimpse into a promising future for those entering the profession in this suburb of Phoenix.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,189 | $38.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,740 | $42.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,531 | $50.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,304 | $60.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,844 | $68.20 |
Median Salary Position
0.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Surprise
In Surprise, AZ, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,655 (2026 est.). At $105,531, the local median is 0.23% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Surprise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Surprise Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Surprise median: $105,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Surprise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $105,742 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.23% more |
Physical Therapists in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $105,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $105,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Surprise has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Surprise, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $105,531 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,138 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,646
2025 BLS Actual
$102,997
2026 Current Est.
$105,531
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,646 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,841 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,945 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,373 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,997 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Surprise metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $89,646 (2019) to $102,997 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,481 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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) | $80,189 – $88,740 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,740 – $105,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,531 – $126,304 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,304 – $141,844 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Surprise
In Surprise, the job market includes approximately 31 physical therapists, indicating a moderate demand for this profession amid the unique cost-of-living dynamics where the index stands at 98.5. This lower cost of living potentially enhances the purchasing power of the salary, allowing practitioners to enjoy their earnings more fully. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to pay the best, particularly when they involve private practices or chains like Athletico and ATI, known for their emphasis on productivity bonuses. The spread in compensation can often be attributed to factors such as board certifications like the OCS or SCS, expectations around patient throughput, and the choice between cash-pay models versus traditional insurance practices. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Surprise, focusing on specialization, obtaining certifications, and exploring opportunities within outpatient settings or as independent contractors could yield significant benefits.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
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 $102,997 for physical therapistsin the Surprise 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
Salary data for Surprise 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