Physical Therapist Salary in Ruston, LA: $97,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Ruston, LA earns a median $97,468/year (≈ $46.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $107,938 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salary in Ruston, Louisiana, sees a median of $97,468, which is lower than the national median of $105,288. The range for earnings spans from $77,884 at the 10th percentile to $121,333 at the 90th percentile, reflecting different levels of experience and productivity. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, highlight how economic factors and local competition influence pay in a market where effective compensation is tightly related to daily visit expectations. In Ruston, therapists who better manage their patient loads and navigate local employer demands can strategically position themselves for higher earnings, making it essential for professionals to understand the nuances of their work environment.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,884 | $37.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,571 | $40.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,468 | $46.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,359 | $54.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,333 | $58.33 |
Median Salary Position
7.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,449 (2026 est.). At $97,468, the local median is 7.43% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Ruston median: $97,468/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $101,318 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.43% less |
Physical Therapists in Ruston, LA earn a median of $97,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.43% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $101,318.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $97,468 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,938 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,797
2025 BLS Actual
$95,128
2026 Current Est.
$97,468
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,797 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,251 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,462 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,305 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,888 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,797 (2019) to $95,128 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,069 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $77,884 – $83,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,571 – $97,468 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,468 – $112,359 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,359 – $121,333 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Ruston
Currently, Ruston employs four physical therapists, which indicates a small but potentially stable local job market. With a cost of living index of 90.3, the purchasing power in Ruston is favorable compared to national averages, allowing physical therapist pay in Ruston, LA, to stretch further. Employers that tend to offer better compensation include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital systems, which may provide incentives for higher productivity or specialization certifications like OCS/SCS. Factors such as patient volume, whether the clinic operates on a cash-pay or insurance model, and additional stipends for specialized board certifications can significantly impact salary distribution. For those looking to maximize earnings, focusing on outpatient rehab or pursuing travel PT opportunities can be beneficial strategies in this region, where productivity standards continue to evolve amid changing reimbursement landscapes.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
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 $95,128 for physical therapistsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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