Physical Therapist Salary in McDonough, GA: $99,663 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in McDonough, GA earns a median $99,663/year (≈ $47.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in McDonough's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $107,049 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapy professionals in McDonough, Georgia, can anticipate a median annual salary of $99,663. This figure reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. The salary range for physical therapists spans from $80,568 at the lower end (P10) to $128,241 at the higher end (P90). With a growing trend of cash-pay models particularly in sports and orthopedic settings, specialized practitioners often drive the higher end of the pay scale. Even though the median salary is somewhat below the national average of $105,288, the local job market shows promise for those specializing in high-demand areas within the community.
About the McDonough Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,568 | $38.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,628 | $41.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,663 | $47.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,400 | $54.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,241 | $61.65 |
Median Salary Position
5.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McDonough
In McDonough, GA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,673 (2026 est.). At $99,663, the local median is 5.34% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McDonough: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McDonough Physical Therapist Pay Compares
McDonough median: $99,663/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McDonough Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $103,385 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.34% less |
Physical Therapists in McDonough, GA earn a median of $99,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.34% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.60% below the Georgia state average of $103,385.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McDonough has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McDonough, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $99,663 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,049 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,662
2025 BLS Actual
$97,270
2026 Current Est.
$99,663
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in McDonough (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,662 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,148 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,511 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,499 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,383 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,554 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,663 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,115 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McDonough metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,662 (2019) to $97,270 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,115 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,453 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McDonough 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) | $80,568 – $86,628 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,628 – $99,663 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,663 – $113,400 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,400 – $128,241 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in McDonough
The job market for physical therapists in McDonough remains robust, with seven active professionals currently employed in the area. Given the city’s cost-of-living index of 93.1, therapists enjoy relatively competitive purchasing power compared to other markets. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including both private practices and larger chains like Athletico, tend to offer the most lucrative positions, often tied to productivity incentives and bonuses. Variations in salary can largely be attributed to factors such as clinical productivity benchmarks, specialization certifications like OCS or SCS, and the distinction between cash-pay versus insurance practices. Therapists looking to maximize their pay in McDonough should consider increasing their patient volumes, pursuing relevant additional certifications, and exploring specialized roles that may come with higher salary potential.
More salary data for McDonough, GA:
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 $97,270 for physical therapistsin the McDonough 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 McDonough 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