Therapist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Therapists Make?
Therapists earn a median annual salary of $65,010 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,840 at the 10th percentile to $120,050 at the 90th percentile — a range of $81,210. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $107,070.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,840 |
| 25th percentile | $49,510 |
| Median (50th) | $65,010 |
| 75th percentile | $85,010 |
| 90th percentile | $120,050 |
Therapist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $107,070 |
| Nebraska | $102,680 |
| New Mexico | $100,510 |
| South Carolina | $99,870 |
| Kentucky | $99,060 |
| District of Columbia | $90,920 |
| New Jersey | $90,280 |
| Montana | $82,070 |
| Oregon | $80,210 |
| Rhode Island | $75,470 |
| Minnesota | $73,300 |
| Colorado | $72,440 |
| California | $71,190 |
| West Virginia | $71,180 |
| Illinois | $71,040 |
| Oklahoma | $69,900 |
| Alabama | $69,320 |
| New York | $67,870 |
| North Carolina | $65,310 |
| Massachusetts | $65,190 |
| Georgia | $63,540 |
| Texas | $62,560 |
| Arizona | $61,430 |
| Louisiana | $61,400 |
| Missouri | $60,800 |
| New Hampshire | $60,210 |
| Utah | $59,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,540 |
| Indiana | $58,690 |
| Virginia | $58,070 |
| Florida | $57,770 |
| Wisconsin | $57,540 |
| Arkansas | $55,820 |
| Iowa | $53,600 |
| Kansas | $52,690 |
| Michigan | $49,640 |
| Ohio | $49,510 |
| Maryland | $47,520 |
| Tennessee | $45,800 |
| Connecticut | $44,670 |
| Maine | $44,540 |
| Mississippi | $43,150 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Therapists
Therapist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$38,840 – $49,510 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$65,010 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$85,010 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $120,050+ |
How to Earn More as a Therapist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Therapists in Kentucky earn $99,060 — $34,050 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($85,010) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 29-1129.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.