Physical Therapist Salary in Bear, DE: $102,614 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Bear, DE earns a median $102,614/year (≈ $49.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Bear's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $100,899 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist salary in Bear, Delaware, reaches a median of $102,614, reflecting the area's competitive healthcare landscape. The salary range spans from $81,381 at the 10th percentile to $123,293 at the 90th percentile, highlighting potential disparity influenced by specialization and practice models. This local payroll estimate incorporates adjustments based on BLS state-level data complemented by regional cost factors. With Bear's job market evolving, the increasing demand for specialists in cash-pay orthopedic and sports clinics is likely impacting top-end earnings, attracting professionals aiming for higher compensation.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,381 | $39.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,537 | $42.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,614 | $49.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,845 | $55.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,293 | $59.27 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bear
In Bear, DE, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,912 (2026 est.). At $102,614, the local median is 2.54% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Bear: You'd be above the median
How Bear Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Bear median: $102,614/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bear Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $107,112 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.54% less |
Physical Therapists in Bear, DE earn a median of $102,614 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $107,112.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bear has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bear, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,614 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,899 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,168
2025 BLS Actual
$100,150
2026 Current Est.
$102,614
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,168 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,698 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,191 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,238 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,177 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,409 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,614 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,138 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bear metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $87,168 (2019) to $100,150 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,970 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bear 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) | $81,381 – $87,537 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,537 – $102,614 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,614 – $115,845 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,845 – $123,293 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Bear
In Bear, currently, six physical therapists are employed, hinting at a modest but stable job market. The cost of living index for Bear sits at 101.7, slightly above the national average, which may affect overall purchasing power. The most lucrative employment opportunities can often be found in private outpatient orthopedic clinics like ATI and Athletico, as well as hospital inpatient rehab facilities. The variability in pay is often determined by factors such as board certifications (like OCS or SCS), productivity benchmarks, and the practice model—cash-pay settings typically offer better financial rewards than traditional insurance-based models. For physical therapists aiming to maximize their earnings in Bear, pursuing specialized certifications and considering roles in higher-paying settings are practical strategies to enhance their market value and income potential.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
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 $100,150 for physical therapistsin the Bear 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 Bear 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