Physical Therapist Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $103,925 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Atlantic City, NJ earns a median $103,925/year (≈ $49.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Atlantic City's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.9), that paycheck buys what $105,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is set at $103,925. This figure is slightly below the national median of $105,288, reflecting the economic dynamics of the region. Salaries for physical therapists in this city range from $87,030 at the lower end (P10) to $123,649 for the top earners (P90). Such disparities often stem from the structural choices between outpatient clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities affecting compensation and job expectations. The data utilized here is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, allowing for a comprehensive view of the local market conditions. Given the complexity of the healthcare landscape in Atlantic City, understanding these salary dynamics can aid prospective physical therapists in their career planning and expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,030 | $41.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,101 | $49.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,925 | $49.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,985 | $53.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,649 | $59.45 |
Median Salary Position
1.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, NJ, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,619 (2026 est.). At $103,925, the local median is 1.29% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlantic City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Atlantic City Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Atlantic City median: $103,925/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlantic City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $121,266 | -14.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.29% less |
Physical Therapists in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $103,925 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.29% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 14.30% below the New Jersey state average of $121,266.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City has a cost of living 1.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlantic City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 98.857 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,925 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,127 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,980
2025 BLS Actual
$101,430
2026 Current Est.
$103,925
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,925 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,482 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 7.9% from $93,980 (2019) to $101,430 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,482 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,502 (13.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City 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) | $87,030 – $102,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,101 – $103,925 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,925 – $110,985 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,985 – $123,649 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Atlantic City
The local job market for physical therapists is moderately robust, with approximately 290 professionals currently employed in the Atlantic City area. With a cost of living index of 98.857, the purchasing power for therapists can be a crucial factor to consider when evaluating offers. Among the various types of employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, especially larger chains like ATI and Athletico, tend to offer lower base salaries but may compensate with productivity bonuses that can significantly enhance total earnings. This contrasts with hospital settings, which may provide higher initial pay but come with different productivity expectations, including metrics on units per visit and caseloads. Factors influencing salary variation include board certifications such as OCS or SCS, clinic ownership equity, and whether practices operate on a cash-pay model versus traditional insurance. For those aiming to maximize their physical therapist pay in Atlantic City, developing specializations and focusing on high-demand settings can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Atlantic City, NJ in 2026?
Is Atlantic City, NJ a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Atlantic City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Atlantic City?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Atlantic City?
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 $101,430 for physical therapistsin the Atlantic City 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