Physical Therapist Salary in Bethlehem, PA: $109,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Bethlehem, PA earns a median $109,522/year (≈ $52.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Bethlehem's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $112,446 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for physical therapists is $109,522 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $105,288, reflecting a local demand for skilled professionals. Salary estimates indicate a range from $82,054 at the 10th percentile to $141,343 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the lucrative opportunities for those in specialized roles, particularly in cash-pay settings such as sports and orthopedic clinics. These figures are derived from state-level data based on 2025 BLS OEWS estimates and adjusted for regional cost considerations, painting a positive picture of physical therapist pay in Bethlehem, PA.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,054 | $39.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,224 | $43.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,522 | $52.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,002 | $61.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,343 | $67.95 |
Median Salary Position
4.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, PA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,289 (2026 est.). At $109,522, the local median is 4.02% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethlehem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethlehem Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Bethlehem median: $109,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethlehem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $103,615 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +4.02% more |
Physical Therapists in Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $109,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 5.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $103,615.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethlehem has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethlehem, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $109,522 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,446 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,036
2025 BLS Actual
$106,892
2026 Current Est.
$109,522
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,036 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,465 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,649 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,719 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,216 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethlehem metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $93,036 (2019) to $106,892 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,180 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethlehem 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) | $82,054 – $91,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,224 – $109,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,522 – $128,002 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,002 – $141,343 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Bethlehem
The local physical therapist job market has revealed a steady employment level, with 14 physical therapists currently working in the area. Bethlehem's cost-of-living index is slightly below the national average at 97.4, which allows for a more favorable purchasing power for the region's professionals. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly those like Athletico and ATI, tend to offer competitive salaries, although they might include pressure to meet productivity benchmarks. The pay disparity can often be traced back to factors such as board specialization (e.g., OCS, SCS), the cash-pay model versus insurance reimbursement, and levels of clinic ownership. For physical therapists aiming to maximize their potential earnings in Bethlehem, pursuing board certification and considering diverse practice settings can provide significant advantages, given the current trends in the local market.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Bethlehem, PA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Bethlehem?
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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 $106,892 for physical therapistsin the Bethlehem 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
Salary data for Bethlehem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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