Physical Therapist Salary in Columbia, MO: $85,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Columbia, MO earns a median $85,370/year (≈ $41.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $95,452 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.5% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Columbia, Missouri, present a comprehensive picture, with a median annual pay of $85,370. This figure places the city notably lower than the national median of $105,288. Salary ranges indicate diversity in earning potential, with entry-level positions starting around $75,943 and the highest earners making up to $123,802. The data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, reflecting the different structures of employers in the area. Physical therapists in outpatient orthopedic chains may earn less than those in hospital inpatient rehab settings, leading to significant pay disparities within the local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,943 | $36.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,855 | $39.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,370 | $41.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,763 | $53.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,802 | $59.52 |
Median Salary Position
18.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, MO, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,859 (2026 est.). At $85,370, the local median is 18.92% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Columbia Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Columbia median: $85,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $102,239 | -16.50% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -18.92% less |
Physical Therapists in Columbia, MO earn a median of $85,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.92% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 16.50% below the Missouri state average of $102,239.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 10.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.438 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $85,370 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,452 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,350
2025 BLS Actual
$83,320
2026 Current Est.
$85,370
2019–2027 Growth
+11.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,470 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 6.3% from $78,350 (2019) to $83,320 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,470 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,120 (11.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $75,943 – $81,855 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,855 – $85,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,370 – $111,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,763 – $123,802 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Columbia
The job market for physical therapists in Columbia is robust, with approximately 280 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 89.438, suggesting that the lower salary levels may still offer competitive purchasing power relative to local expenses. Among employers in Columbia, outpatient clinics like ATI and Athletico often provide higher productivity-linked compensation, balancing lower base pay with performance bonuses. Factors that influence salary variation include board certifications such as OCS or SCS, which can augment earnings, and the practice model—whether cash-pay or insurance-based. To maximize earnings in the Columbia market, therapists should consider specializing, pursuing additional certifications, and exploring productivity incentives that align with employer expectations.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Columbia, MO in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Columbia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Columbia?
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Related Pages
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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 $83,320 for physical therapistsin the Columbia 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