Physical Therapist Salary in Dayton, OH: $105,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Dayton, OH earns a median $105,872/year (≈ $50.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $114,217 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dayton, Ohio, the compensation for physical therapists is projected to reach a median annual salary of $105,872 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $105,288 by a slim margin of 0.55%. With a salary range stretching from $82,111 at the 10th percentile to $138,341 at the 90th percentile, this figure reflects the pressures often faced in the field, particularly regarding patient visit productivity. As physical therapists become increasingly tasked with managing higher patient loads, the effective hourly compensation can fluctuate significantly based on performance expectations. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, highlighting Dayton's competitive environment for physical therapists as local healthcare facilities continue to evolve.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,111 | $39.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,816 | $43.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,872 | $50.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,737 | $56.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,341 | $66.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,230 (2026 est.). At $105,872, the local median is 0.55% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dayton Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Dayton median: $105,872/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $105,345 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +0.55% more |
Physical Therapists in Dayton, OH earn a median of $105,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.55% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.50% above the Ohio state average of $105,345.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $105,872 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,217 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,200
2025 BLS Actual
$103,330
2026 Current Est.
$105,872
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,476 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 10.9% from $93,200 (2019) to $103,330 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,276 (16.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $82,111 – $89,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,816 – $105,872 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,872 – $117,737 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,737 – $138,341 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Dayton
The job market in Dayton is solid, with 780 physical therapists currently employed in the area, contributing to a healthcare ecosystem driven by diverse opportunities. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 92.694, which is below the national average, this environment provides a favorable backdrop for take-home pay in relation to living expenses. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include outpatient orthopedic clinics, both private practices and larger chains, as well as hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings. The variability in compensation often stems from factors like productivity expectations, board certifications, clinic ownership equity, and whether practices operate on a cash-pay model versus insurance reimbursement. To optimize earnings in this market, physical therapists should consider pursuing additional board certifications, which can sometimes result in stipends, as well as exploring roles in higher-paying segments like travel PT agencies that often command premiums.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Dayton, OH in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Dayton?
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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 $103,330 for physical therapistsin the Dayton 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