Physical Therapist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Physical Therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $100,600 a year ($48.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,190 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $99,310. There are 1.8 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,300, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| 25th percentile | $81,910 | $39.38 |
| Median | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| 75th percentile | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Average (mean) | $100,300 | $48.22 |
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 | $8,383.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,191.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,869.23 |
| Weekly | $1,934.62 |
| Hourly | $48.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $125,600 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $115,990 | 150 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $105,720 | 7,880 |
| Rockford, IL | $101,340 | 190 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $101,270 | 2,010 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,420 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $100,150 | 130 |
| Kankakee, IL | $99,770 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $99,410 | 280 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $99,330 | 80 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $99,310 | 90 |
| Peoria, IL | $98,860 | 300 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $98,070 | 90 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $97,840 | 140 |
| Springfield, MO | $97,270 | 410 |
| Bloomington, IL | $97,250 | 100 |
| Columbia, MO | $83,320 | 280 |
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 St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Dentists, General | $210,430 | $101.17 |
| Veterinarian | $122,460 | $58.87 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,300 | $111.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for physical therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $100,600 a year, or $48.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $124,190 a year. The top 25% earn $110,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,390 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $81,910 or less.
How many physical therapists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 2,480 physical therapists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.