HealthcareUpdated Q1 2026

Physical Therapist Salary
in New Orleans, LA

Help patients recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions through targeted physical rehabilitation. Median salary in New Orleans: $90K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$90K
per year
Take-home: $58K

Salary range in New Orleans

Entry level (25th)$71,000
Median (50th)$90,000
Senior (75th)$109,000
Top earner (90th)$133,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in New Orleans, Louisiana. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for New Orleans

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

5% discount vs national median

Physical Therapists in New Orleans earn approximately 5% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $5,000 discount on annual base salary. New Orleans's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 92 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for New Orleans's cost-of-living index (92), the median Physical Therapist salary buys the equivalent of $97,826 in a US-average-cost city. That's $2,826 more purchasing power than the national median β€” a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Primarily on-site role

Only 10% of Physical Therapist positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the New Orleans salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for New Orleans

Median salary
$90K
annual
Take-home pay
$58K
after fed/state tax
COL index
92
100 = US avg
State income tax
6%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,250
per month
YoY growth
+3.2%
salary trend

Salary forecast: New Orleans Physical Therapist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $102K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” New Orleans

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Physical Therapist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$75K$83K$90K$98K$105K201920212023202520272029
2026
$93K
projected
2027
$96K
projected
2028
$99K
projected
2029
$102K
projected
2030
$105K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$93,000+$3,000
2028 projected$96,000+$6,000
2029 projected$99,000+$9,000
2030 projected$102,000+$12,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Physical Therapist Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Physical Therapist salary in New Orleans, LA is $90,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the New Orleans–LA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Physical Therapist in New Orleans

Entry-level Physical Therapists in New Orleans with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $71,000 and $90,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $90,000 to $109,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $109,000 to $133,000 or more.

Cost of living in New Orleans for Physical Therapists

New Orleans has a cost of living index of 92 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 8% further in New Orleans than the national average. Louisiana has a 6% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Physical Therapist

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). 10% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Physical Therapist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
New Orleans (current)$90K92
Baton Rouge$87K88
Shreveport$74K78
Lafayette$81K85