Physical Therapist Salary in Erie, PA: $97,163 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Erie, PA earns a median $97,163/year (≈ $46.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $106,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected annual salary for physical therapists in Erie, Pennsylvania, is estimated at $97,163, which reflects a competitive yet slightly lower pay scale when compared to the national median of $105,288. This figure falls within a salary range from $75,831 at the 10th percentile to $122,163 at the 90th percentile. The data sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys highlights an ongoing trend in cash-pay models within the outpatient orthopedic specialty, which is likely contributing to higher earnings for specialists within that niche. The job market in Erie presents a noteworthy opportunity for physical therapists, who can benefit from the increasing demand for services in a post-pandemic environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,831 | $36.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,105 | $39.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,163 | $46.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,894 | $49.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,163 | $58.73 |
Median Salary Position
7.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,332 (2026 est.). At $97,163, the local median is 7.72% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Erie median: $97,163/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $103,585 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.72% less |
Physical Therapists in Erie, PA earn a median of $97,163 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $103,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $97,163 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,831 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,060
2025 BLS Actual
$94,830
2026 Current Est.
$97,163
2019–2027 Growth
+30.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,163 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,553 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 24.7% from $76,060 (2019) to $94,830 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,553 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,493 (30.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $75,831 – $83,105 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,105 – $97,163 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,163 – $103,894 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,894 – $122,163 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Erie
The local job market employs around 240 physical therapists, which creates a stable employment environment in Erie. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95, professionals in this field enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to many other U.S. cities. Organizations such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital rehab departments typically offer the highest wage potential, influenced by factors such as board certification, productivity expectations, and clinic ownership equity. Physical therapists who can maximize their earnings may consider specializing, pursuing additional certifications like the OCS or SCS, and exploring cash-pay practices, which can lead to greater financial rewards. Ultimately, navigating the intricacies of the Erie market can significantly impact how much do physical therapists make in Erie, especially in light of shifting payment models and service demands.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Erie, PA in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Erie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Erie?
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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 $94,830 for physical therapistsin the Erie 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