Physical Therapist Salary in Saginaw, MI: $106,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Saginaw, MI earns a median $106,312/year (≈ $51.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Saginaw's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $116,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Saginaw, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $106,312, positioning them slightly above the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $80,861 at the lower end (P10) to $145,770 at the upper end (P90), indicating a diverse market where experience and the type of employment can significantly influence earnings. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, also highlight that Saginaw’s outpatient orthopedic clinics—often the choice for new graduates—tend to compensate differently than hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities. As the job market in Saginaw continues to evolve, understanding these structural differences will be crucial for new entrants in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,861 | $38.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,564 | $45.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,312 | $51.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,841 | $60.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,770 | $70.08 |
Median Salary Position
0.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Saginaw
In Saginaw, MI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,909 (2026 est.). At $106,312, the local median is 0.97% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Saginaw: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Saginaw Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Saginaw median: $106,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Saginaw Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $104,126 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.97% more |
Physical Therapists in Saginaw, MI earn a median of $106,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.97% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% above the Michigan state average of $104,126.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Saginaw has a cost of living 9.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Saginaw, MI has a cost-of-living index of 90.891 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $106,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,966 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,900
2025 BLS Actual
$103,760
2026 Current Est.
$106,312
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Saginaw (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,928 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Saginaw metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.1% from $90,900 (2019) to $103,760 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,928 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,028 (19.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Saginaw 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) | $80,861 – $95,564 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,564 – $106,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,312 – $125,841 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,841 – $145,770 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Saginaw
With 130 physical therapists currently employed in Saginaw, the local job market demonstrates robust potential for growth, especially considering the projected annual growth rate of 2.46%. However, the cost of living index stands at 90.891, suggesting that while salaries may be competitive, they offer varied purchasing power relative to national standards. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, including chains like ATI and Athletico, usually pay lower base salaries compared to hospital systems, but they might offer bonuses tied to productivity. Factors like board certifications, especially in specialty areas like OCS and SCS, can further drive salary differentiation, as clinics value these credentials for enhanced patient outcomes. For physical therapists keen on maximizing their pay in Saginaw, focusing on productivity metrics, considering cash-pay opportunities, and seeking positions that offer performance incentives will be vital strategies for achieving higher earnings in this Michigan city.
More salary data for Saginaw, MI:
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 $103,760 for physical therapistsin the Saginaw 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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