Physical Therapist salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Physical Therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $100,530 a year ($48.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,900 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $98,530. There are 1.6 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,820, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| 25th percentile | $80,650 | $38.77 |
| Median | $100,530 | $48.33 |
| 75th percentile | $107,940 | $51.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,900 | $59.57 |
| Average (mean) | $98,820 | $47.51 |
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 | $8,377.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,188.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,866.54 |
| Weekly | $1,933.27 |
| Hourly | $48.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,530 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $103,380 | 160 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $101,980 | 230 |
| 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 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $326,440 | $156.94 |
| Pharmacist | $128,100 | $61.59 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,580 | $59.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Dentists, General | $198,050 | $95.22 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $332,690 | $159.95 |
| Veterinarian | $128,360 | $61.71 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,180 | $35.18 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,280 | $103.98 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for physical therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $100,530 a year, or $48.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $123,900 a year. The top 25% earn $107,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,150 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $80,650 or less.
How many physical therapists work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 710 physical therapists are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.