Physical Therapist Salary in Lowell, MA: $107,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Lowell, MA earns a median $107,644/year (≈ $51.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Lowell's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $99,211 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Lowell, Massachusetts, reveal a median of $107,644, positioning the profession slightly above the national average of $105,288. The salary range for practitioners in this area spans from $82,620 at the tenth percentile to $145,475 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variances, specifically a cost of living index of 108.5. The job market in Lowell presents options across various settings, including outpatient chains, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. Notably, practitioners may find that their specific choice of employer significantly influences their pay scale, highlighting the role of practice settings in the overall earnings potential.
About the Lowell Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,141 | $43.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,644 | $51.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,638 | $62.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,475 | $69.94 |
Median Salary Position
2.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lowell
In Lowell, MA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,855 (2026 est.). At $107,644, the local median is 2.24% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lowell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lowell Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Lowell median: $107,644/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lowell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $107,323 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +2.24% more |
Physical Therapists in Lowell, MA earn a median of $107,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.24% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $107,323.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lowell has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lowell, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,644 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,211 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$91,442
2025 BLS Actual
$105,060
2026 Current Est.
$107,644
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Lowell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,442 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,047 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,907 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,942 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,293 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lowell metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $91,442 (2019) to $105,060 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,293 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,851 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lowell 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) | $82,620 – $91,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,141 – $107,644 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,644 – $129,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,638 – $145,475 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Lowell
Examining the local job market illustrates a moderate employment landscape, with 29 physical therapists currently working in the area. The slightly elevated cost of living in Lowell suggests that while the nominal pay may seem competitive, it needs to be evaluated against purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as ATI and Athletico typically offer competitive compensation but may come with strict productivity metrics that push therapists to increase their visit counts. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals may provide higher base salaries, yet they often involve a more demanding workload. Other factors that influence pay disparity include board certifications, such as the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), which can provide stipends for specialized skills. Additionally, therapists engaged in cash-pay practices often command higher rates, contrasting with insurance models burdened by reimbursement issues. For those looking to maximize earnings in Lowell, pursuing board certifications, exploring diverse employment settings, and negotiating contracts based on productivity expectations are wise strategies.
More salary data for Lowell, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Lowell, MA in 2026?
Is Lowell, MA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Lowell?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Lowell?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Lowell?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $105,060 for physical therapistsin the Lowell 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 Lowell 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