What to Pay a Physical Therapist in St. Louis, MO (2026)
How to set your PT pay range in St. Louis
Three pay positions, modeled against current St. Louis market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
PT salary percentile distribution in St. Louis, MO
Where the St. Louis market actually sits for PT base pay.
Most St. Louis employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($94,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $82,000 and a max of $108,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Missouri pay transparency compliance for PT job postings
What you must post when hiring a PT in Missouri.
For a PT role in St. Louis, a compliant good-faith range looks like $82,000 to $108,000. No statutory requirement applies, but if you disclose voluntarily, post a good-faith range of $82,000–$108,000 rather than a single number — it screens out misaligned candidates and reduces offer-stage fallout.
Top PT employers in St. Louis — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring PTs in the St. Louis metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| BJC HealthCare | Health system | $88K–$111K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Mercy | Health system | $88K–$111K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| SSM Health | Health system | $88K–$111K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Ascension Missouri | Health system | $88K–$111K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| St. Louis Children's Hospital | Pediatric specialty | $88K–$111K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
PT talent supply and hiring difficulty in St. Louis
How hard is it to fill a PT role in St. Louis.
St. Louis physical therapist market spans outpatient orthopedic, hospital inpatient rehab, home health, and skilled nursing. Outpatient orthopedic PT drives the largest employment share.
Skill premiums PT candidates command in St. Louis, MO
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Orthopedic specialty (OCS) | +6–9% | Very high |
| Neurologic specialty (NCS) | +6–9% | High — stroke/TBI centers |
| Sports specialty (SCS) | +6–9% | High — collegiate/pro affiliations |
| Pelvic health specialty | +5–8% | Growing |
PT total compensation in St. Louis — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for PTs in St. Louis. "Prevalence" reflects share of St. Louis disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in St. Louis Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $94,000 (median) | 100% |
| Productivity bonus | $6K–$17K | ~52% |
| Sign-on bonus | $6K–$13K | ~64% |
| Continuing education allowance | $1,500–$3,500/yr | ~78% |
| Loan repayment (HRSA/some employers) | $20K–$40K total | ~28% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$109K–$128K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
PT pay by setting in St. Louis — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the PT range splits by employer type in the St. Louis metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient orthopedic clinic | $90,000 | $81K–$103K | Moderate |
| Hospital inpatient rehab | $98,000 | $86K–$111K | Above national avg |
| Home health | $100,000 | $88K–$113K | High — rapid growth |
| Skilled nursing facility (SNF) | $96,000 | $85K–$109K | High |
| School / pediatric | $85,000 | $75K–$96K | Moderate |
FAQ: hiring a Physical Therapist in St. Louis, MO
Related PT pay benchmarks — Missouri metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.