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Best states for an outpatient physical therapist
Quoted expert
Amy G. Schubert and Lisa Steinkamp
- Rank 1 - 10
- 11 - 20
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- 41 - 51
We decided to bring you a list of the best states for jobs for outpatient physical therapists in the United States. Outpatient physical therapist positions are available in every state, but not all states are the same. Some states do not offer the same wages, benefits, time off, etc for outpatient physical therapists.In fact, our research shows that California is the best state for outpatient physical therapists in America. The best city in America for outpatient physical therapists with the highest pay is San Francisco, CA.
The median salary for outpatient physical therapists in California is $88,491. Compare that to the median salary in District of Columbia of $27,619, which ranked worst for outpatient physical therapists, and you can see how your location is important for your career.California is the best state, and Monterey is the city with the highest pay for outpatient physical therapists.
10 best states for outpatient physical therapists in 2026
1. California
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 5,569 Average annual salary: $88,491 Lowest 10 percent earn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $154,000 Location Quotient: 1.16
2. Washington
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 1,213 Average annual salary: $74,269 Lowest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location Quotient: 1.01
3. Oregon
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 679 Average annual salary: $69,920 Lowest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $120,000 Location Quotient: 1
4. Idaho
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 271 Average annual salary: $61,815 Lowest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $106,000 Location Quotient: 1.01
5. Arizona
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 747 Average annual salary: $76,100 Lowest 10 percent earn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location Quotient: 0.78
6. Texas
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 3,138 Average annual salary: $63,735 Lowest 10 percent earn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location Quotient: 0.95
7. New Mexico
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 251 Average annual salary: $69,053 Lowest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Location Quotient: 0.78
8. Nebraska
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 448 Average annual salary: $48,454 Lowest 10 percent earn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location Quotient: 1.23
9. Colorado
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 1,084 Average annual salary: $55,313 Lowest 10 percent earn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $90,000 Location Quotient: 1.11
10. Nevada
Total outpatient physical therapist jobs: 314 Average annual salary: $62,001 Lowest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location Quotient: 0.92
Outpatient physical therapist jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be an outpatient physical therapist
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for an outpatient physical therapist
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $88,491 | $50,000 | 39,536,653 | 5,569 |
| 2 | Washington | $74,269 | $42,000 | 7,405,743 | 1,213 |
| 3 | Oregon | $69,920 | $40,000 | 4,142,776 | 679 |
| 4 | Idaho | $61,815 | $35,000 | 1,716,943 | 271 |
| 5 | Arizona | $76,100 | $43,000 | 7,016,270 | 747 |
| 6 | Texas | $63,735 | $36,000 | 28,304,596 | 3,138 |
| 7 | New Mexico | $69,053 | $40,000 | 2,088,070 | 251 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $48,454 | $26,000 | 1,920,076 | 448 |
| 9 | Colorado | $55,313 | $33,000 | 5,607,154 | 1,084 |
| 10 | Nevada | $62,001 | $35,000 | 2,998,039 | 314 |
| 11 | Montana | $52,814 | $30,000 | 1,050,493 | 202 |
| 12 | Alaska | $65,800 | $54,000 | 739,795 | 146 |
| 13 | Kansas | $47,769 | $26,000 | 2,913,123 | 553 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $57,864 | $34,000 | 579,315 | 84 |
| 15 | Louisiana | $58,584 | $32,000 | 4,684,333 | 425 |
| 16 | Utah | $60,583 | $35,000 | 3,101,833 | 339 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $40,311 | $19,000 | 755,393 | 225 |
| 18 | Missouri | $42,741 | $22,000 | 6,113,532 | 1,117 |
| 19 | Georgia | $41,699 | $20,000 | 10,429,379 | 1,941 |
| 20 | Alabama | $46,593 | $24,000 | 4,874,747 | 628 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $40,357 | $18,000 | 4,454,189 | 603 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $29,299 | $9,000 | 1,342,795 | 387 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $36,965 | $15,000 | 5,795,483 | 934 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $31,310 | $10,000 | 9,005,644 | 1,472 |
| 25 | Arkansas | $44,067 | $24,000 | 3,004,279 | 408 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $29,624 | $9,000 | 6,859,819 | 1,978 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $39,042 | $18,000 | 5,024,369 | 730 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $41,775 | $24,000 | 3,930,864 | 506 |
| 29 | Delaware | $31,899 | $11,000 | 961,939 | 216 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $41,565 | $21,000 | 6,715,984 | 831 |
| 31 | Iowa | $38,660 | $18,000 | 3,145,711 | 595 |
| 32 | Maryland | $32,960 | $11,000 | 6,052,177 | 1,060 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $56,008 | $48,000 | 1,427,538 | 107 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $44,345 | $24,000 | 2,984,100 | 228 |
| 35 | Maine | $27,026 | $8,000 | 1,335,907 | 344 |
| 36 | Indiana | $29,584 | $13,000 | 6,666,818 | 1,355 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $28,322 | $9,000 | 12,805,537 | 2,136 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | $29,692 | $9,000 | 1,059,639 | 197 |
| 39 | Illinois | $33,769 | $14,000 | 12,802,023 | 2,109 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $40,785 | $21,000 | 869,666 | 122 |
| 41 | New York | $31,522 | $10,000 | 19,849,399 | 1,963 |
| 42 | Connecticut | $29,868 | $9,000 | 3,588,184 | 529 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $37,645 | $16,000 | 5,576,606 | 756 |
| 44 | Florida | $40,238 | $20,000 | 20,984,400 | 1,737 |
| 45 | Ohio | $32,133 | $12,000 | 11,658,609 | 1,533 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $31,738 | $12,000 | 1,815,857 | 233 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $31,839 | $13,000 | 10,273,419 | 1,529 |
| 48 | Vermont | $25,372 | $8,000 | 623,657 | 137 |
| 49 | Michigan | $27,554 | $10,000 | 9,962,311 | 1,219 |
| 50 | Virginia | $29,177 | $11,000 | 8,470,020 | 1,336 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $27,619 | $10,000 | 693,972 | 132 |
Highest paying states for outpatient physical therapists
| Rank | State | Avg. Outpatient Physical Therapist Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $88,491 |
| 2 | Washington | $74,269 |
| 3 | Oregon | $69,920 |
| 4 | Idaho | $61,815 |
| 5 | Arizona | $76,100 |
| 6 | Texas | $63,735 |
| 7 | New Mexico | $69,053 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $48,454 |
| 9 | Colorado | $55,313 |
| 10 | Nevada | $62,001 |
| 11 | Montana | $52,814 |
| 12 | Alaska | $65,800 |
| 13 | Kansas | $47,769 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $57,864 |
| 15 | Louisiana | $58,584 |
| 16 | Utah | $60,583 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $40,311 |
| 18 | Missouri | $42,741 |
| 19 | Georgia | $41,699 |
| 20 | Alabama | $46,593 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $40,357 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $29,299 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $36,965 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $31,310 |
| 25 | Arkansas | $44,067 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $29,624 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $39,042 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $41,775 |
| 29 | Delaware | $31,899 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $41,565 |
| 31 | Iowa | $38,660 |
| 32 | Maryland | $32,960 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $56,008 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $44,345 |
| 35 | Maine | $27,026 |
| 36 | Indiana | $29,584 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $28,322 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | $29,692 |
| 39 | Illinois | $33,769 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $40,785 |
| 41 | New York | $31,522 |
| 42 | Connecticut | $29,868 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $37,645 |
| 44 | Florida | $40,238 |
| 45 | Ohio | $32,133 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $31,738 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $31,839 |
| 48 | Vermont | $25,372 |
| 49 | Michigan | $27,554 |
| 50 | Virginia | $29,177 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $27,619 |
Expert opinions on the best states for outpatient physical therapists
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for outpatient physical therapists to find work opportunities?
Amy G. Schubert and Lisa Steinkamp
Director of Admissions and Program Director, School of Medicine and Public Health
The baby boomer generation continues to impact the need for Physical Therapists, both to provide care to those in that generation, as well as to fill the roles of PT's who are ready to retire. There may be a higher demand for Physical Therapists in areas where this need is greater. Also, rural areas of the United States tend to have a greater need for healthcare providers, as a whole.
Outpatient physical therapist best states FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025