Physical Therapist Salary in Joplin, MO: $102,614 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Joplin, MO earns a median $102,614/year (≈ $49.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $119,711 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, the compensation for physical therapists is projected to reach a median annual salary of $102,614 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range varies significantly, from $77,952 at the 10th percentile to $126,169 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings in which physical therapists work. With the primary employers in the area being outpatient clinics and hospital systems, the pay scale often hinges on the structural choices within the industry. Outpatient chains like ATI or Athletico typically offer lower base salaries compared to hospital settings but can include productivity bonuses that may enhance overall earnings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, indicate that while Joplin's pay is competitive, professionals must explore various employment avenues to maximize their compensation potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,952 | $37.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,191 | $40.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,614 | $49.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,472 | $53.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,169 | $60.66 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,217 (2026 est.). At $102,614, the local median is 2.54% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be above the median
How Joplin Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Joplin median: $102,614/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $102,205 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.54% less |
Physical Therapists in Joplin, MO earn a median of $102,614 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.40% above the Missouri state average of $102,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 14.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 85.718 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $102,614 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $119,711 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,820
2025 BLS Actual
$100,150
2026 Current Est.
$102,614
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,614 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,138 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.0% from $87,820 (2019) to $100,150 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,318 (19.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $77,952 – $84,191 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,191 – $102,614 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,614 – $110,472 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,472 – $126,169 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Joplin
The job market for physical therapists in Joplin consists of approximately 130 professionals, working in environments that are affected by the local cost of living index of 85.718, which is below the national average. This implies that while salaries may appear lower than national averages, the purchasing power can be more favorable in practice. Local employers, particularly well-established outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital systems, tend to pay the highest, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies generally offering lower compensation. Factors influencing the wide salary range include expectations regarding patient productivity, potential stipends for board certifications such as OCS or SCS, and differing business models like cash-pay versus traditional insurance practices. By focusing on enhancing productivity and considering opportunities with higher pay scales, Joplin’s physical therapists can significantly boost their take-home earnings.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
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 $100,150 for physical therapistsin the Joplin 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