Physical Therapist salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Physical Therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $98,730 a year ($47.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,460 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is about the same as the Arkansas statewide median of $99,010. There are 1.6 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| 25th percentile | $84,460 | $40.61 |
| Median | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| 75th percentile | $114,540 | $55.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,460 | $62.24 |
| Average (mean) | $98,840 | $47.52 |
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 | $8,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,113.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,797.31 |
| Weekly | $1,898.65 |
| Hourly | $47.47 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | $113,190 | 30 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $105,580 | 140 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $104,500 | 430 |
| Tulsa, OK | $100,840 | 710 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $100,010 | 190 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $100,000 | 800 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $99,940 | 1,040 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $99,730 | 1,120 |
| Lawton, OK | $98,590 | 60 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $97,260 | 90 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,130 | $124.10 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Dentists, General | $165,060 | $79.36 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $119,840 | $57.61 |
| Therapists, All Other | $70,520 | $33.90 |
| Optometrist | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Veterinarian | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,880 | $26.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $98,730 a year, or $47.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $129,460 a year. The top 25% earn $114,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,800 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $84,460 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 160 physical therapists are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.