Physical Therapist Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $101,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $101,522/year (≈ $48.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $98,374 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Portsmouth, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,522, which illustrates the competitive nature of the local job market despite slightly lagging behind the national average of $105,288. The full salary range for physical therapists here spans from $76,868 at the 10th percentile to as high as $131,312 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variances, highlight the ongoing trend toward higher pay in specialized sectors like cash-pay orthopedic practices. This emerging model could significantly impact top-end earnings, suggesting that PTs focused on outpatient care may find themselves well positioned in Portsmouth's evolving market.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,868 | $36.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,932 | $40.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,522 | $48.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,063 | $57.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,312 | $63.13 |
Median Salary Position
3.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,444 (2026 est.). At $101,522, the local median is 3.58% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $101,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $104,879 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.58% less |
Physical Therapists in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $101,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.58% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $104,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,522 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,374 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$86,241
2025 BLS Actual
$99,085
2026 Current Est.
$101,522
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,241 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,755 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,225 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,144 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,866 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,020 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,241 (2019) to $99,085 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,779 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $76,868 – $84,932 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,932 – $101,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,522 – $119,063 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,063 – $131,312 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Portsmouth
Currently, Portsmouth employs 17 physical therapists, a figure that reflects a modest yet stable job landscape for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the purchasing power for physical therapist pay in Portsmouth VA is slightly above the national average, making salary considerations an essential part of financial planning for the workforce. Notably, employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics, especially larger chains and specialized sports medicine clinics, tend to offer the most competitive salaries. The salary spread can be attributed to various factors, including productivity expectations, opportunities for additional compensation through stipends for board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the differences between cash-pay models and traditional insurance practices. Physical therapists looking to maximize their compensation in this market should consider strategies such as further specialization, seeking roles in higher-paying outpatient settings, and staying current with industry trends that influence employer reimbursement capabilities.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Portsmouth, VA in 2026?
Is Portsmouth, VA a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Portsmouth?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Portsmouth?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Portsmouth?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $99,085 for physical therapistsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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