Physical Therapist salary in Louisiana
Physical Therapists in Louisiana earn a median of $98,530 a year ($47.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,640 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,760. Louisiana ranks 42nd of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 1.7 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,250, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| 25th percentile | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Median | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| 75th percentile | $109,650 | $52.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,640 | $61.37 |
| Average (mean) | $97,250 | $46.76 |
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 | $8,210.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,105.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,789.62 |
| Weekly | $1,894.81 |
| Hourly | $47.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $103,380 | 160 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $101,980 | 230 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $100,530 | 710 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $100,230 | 280 |
| Hammond, LA | $98,930 | 130 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $98,920 | 590 |
| Monroe, LA | $96,140 | 170 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $88,900 | 140 |
| Lafayette, LA | $84,340 | 290 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $78,320 | 180 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Pharmacist | $132,410 | $63.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | $60.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $350,920 | $168.71 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Dentists, General | $170,750 | $82.09 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,870 | $61.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,330 | $122.75 |
| Veterinarian | $124,370 | $59.79 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,130 | $106.80 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,460 | $33.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for physical therapists in Louisiana is $98,530 a year, or $47.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of physical therapists in Louisiana earn at least $127,640 a year. The top 25% earn $109,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,150 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $77,740 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Louisiana?
About 3,280 physical therapists are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.