Physical Therapists in Arkansas. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Physical Therapists in Arkansas earned a median of $96,840 in 2024, about 5.6% below the US median of $102,556. That gap is smaller than you might expect for a lower-cost state, and it narrows further once you account for what the money actually buys.
Arkansas carries a cost-of-living index of 88.3, meaning everyday expenses run roughly 12% below the national baseline. Adjusted for that, the in-state median works out to something closer to $109,670 in national-dollar terms, which sits above the US median. In other words, a physical therapist taking a position in Arkansas gives up less on paper than the headline numbers suggest.
The spread across earners is worth noting. The 10th percentile came in at $70,990 in 2024, the 90th at $129,260. Top earners made roughly 1.8 times what those at the bottom did. That kind of range reflects how much setting and experience shape pay in this occupation: a new-grad in an outpatient clinic and a senior PT in a hospital system are both captured in that $96,840 median.
Employment stood at 2,740 physical therapists across Arkansas in 2024. BLS projects the occupation will grow 10.9% between 2024 and 2034, a pace it classifies as faster than average. An aging rural population and ongoing demand for post-acute rehabilitation services tend to support that trajectory in states like Arkansas, though we are reporting BLS's projection rather than our own.
Salary distribution
Where Arkansas physical therapists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,260 and $111,470, with a median of $99,010.
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Physical Therapists pay by experience level in Arkansas
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Arkansas over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- 02
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- 03
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- 04
Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- 05
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- 06
Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
- 07
Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
- 08
Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+10.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physical Therapists in Arkansas?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physical Therapists in Arkansas is $99,010.
- How does Arkansas compare to the national median for Physical Therapists?
- The Arkansas median is -5.3% versus the BLS national figure of $104,506.
- What is the salary range for Physical Therapists in Arkansas?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $73,050 and the 90th-percentile at $127,210, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Physical Therapists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 10.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Physical Therapists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.