Physical Therapist salary in Columbia, MO
Physical Therapists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $83,320 a year ($40.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,830 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 16% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $99,310. There are 2.6 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,120 | $35.64 |
| 25th percentile | $79,890 | $38.41 |
| Median | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| 75th percentile | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,830 | $58.09 |
| Average (mean) | $93,290 | $44.85 |
Half of physical therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,943.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,471.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,204.62 |
| Weekly | $1,602.31 |
| Hourly | $40.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $101,270 | 2,010 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $100,600 | 2,480 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,420 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $100,150 | 130 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $99,310 | 90 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $98,070 | 90 |
| Springfield, MO | $97,270 | 410 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Pharmacist | $139,430 | $67.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,080 | $150.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Veterinarian | $99,620 | $47.89 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $310,170 | $149.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Dentists, General | $207,450 | $99.74 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $83,320 a year, or $40.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $120,830 a year. The top 25% earn $109,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,120 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $79,890 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Columbia, MO?
About 280 physical therapists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.