Physical Therapist salary in Rhode Island
Physical Therapists in Rhode Island earn a median of $99,400 a year ($47.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,390 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $102,760. Rhode Island ranks 37th of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 2.0 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,770 | $38.83 |
| 25th percentile | $88,120 | $42.36 |
| Median | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| 75th percentile | $113,840 | $54.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,390 | $60.28 |
| Average (mean) | $102,520 | $49.29 |
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 | $8,283.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,141.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,823.08 |
| Weekly | $1,911.54 |
| Hourly | $47.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $100,290 | 1,440 |
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 |
Related jobs in Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $128,180 | $61.63 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,930 | $67.27 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,910 | $41.78 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Veterinarian | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| Dentists, General | $161,560 | $77.67 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $379,490 | $182.45 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $512,730 | $246.51 |
| Psychiatrist | $287,610 | $138.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for physical therapists in Rhode Island is $99,400 a year, or $47.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of physical therapists in Rhode Island earn at least $125,390 a year. The top 25% earn $113,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,770 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $88,120 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Rhode Island?
About 1,020 physical therapists are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.