TL;DR: A government Physical Therapist I earns ₱31,705 a month at Step 1 (Salary Grade 11) under the DBM's third tranche salary schedule, effective January 1, 2026, rising to ₱81,796 for Physical Therapist IV (SG 22). Private pay starts lower: Indeed's job-posting data puts the national average at ₱22,108 a month, with most offers between about ₱14,863 and ₱32,887. The US median for physical therapists is $102,760 a year (BLS, May 2025), NHS physiotherapists in the UK start on Band 5 (£32,073 to £39,043), and Indeed's UAE average is AED 5,078 a month.
Physical therapy is one of the allied health degrees where the difference between local and overseas pay is hardest to ignore. US, UK, and Gulf pay is several times higher in absolute terms, but getting licensed abroad takes years and real money. This guide lays out what PTs actually earn at each stage in the Philippines, using the DBM's official schedule and position index for government roles and labeled job-posting data for private ones, then compares it honestly with the US, UK, and UAE.
How Much Does a Government Physical Therapist Earn?
A government Physical Therapist I earns ₱31,705 a month at Step 1, which is Salary Grade 11 in the DBM's Index of Occupational Services (CY 2022 edition). The ladder has four levels, ending at Physical Therapist IV (SG 22). Peso values come from DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, which implements the third tranche of Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, effective January 1, 2026.
| Government Position | Salary Grade | Monthly Pay, Step 1 (2026) | Monthly Pay, Step 8 (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapy Technician I | SG 6 | ₱19,716 | ₱20,761 |
| Physical Therapy Technician II | SG 8 | ₱22,423 | ₱23,883 |
| Physical Therapist I | SG 11 | ₱31,705 | ₱33,611 |
| Physical Therapist II | SG 15 | ₱42,178 | ₱45,202 |
| Physical Therapist III | SG 18 | ₱53,818 | ₱57,842 |
| Physical Therapist IV | SG 22 | ₱81,796 | ₱90,295 |
Disclaimer: these are basic monthly salaries from DBM NBC No. 601. A fourth and final EO 64 tranche is scheduled for January 1, 2027. Confirm current rates with the hiring agency before budgeting.
Note the jump from Physical Therapist III (SG 18) straight to IV (SG 22): the DBM index has no PT level at SG 20. Government PTs also get the ₱2,000 monthly PERA, mid-year and year-end bonuses, and GSIS coverage. PTs in provincial, city, or municipal hospitals are paid under the LGU's schedule, which DBM Local Budget Circular No. 172 sets at 70% to 100% of national rates by income class, though the sanggunian may adopt full first-class rates for public health workers.
Do Government Physical Therapists Get Hazard Pay?
They can. Section 21 of RA 7305, the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, gives public health workers in hospitals, clinics, and health centers located in hazardous, disease-infested, or calamity-declared areas a hazard allowance of at least 25% of monthly basic salary at SG 19 and below. For a Physical Therapist I at Step 1, that is about ₱7,926 a month. RA 7305 also provides longevity pay of 5% of basic pay for every five years of service. Whether a posting qualifies is decided by the DOH or the unit head with DOH approval, so ask HR before counting on it.
How Much Do Physical Therapists Earn in Private Clinics and Hospitals?
Private PTs average about ₱22,000 a month. Indeed puts the national average at ₱22,108 a month from 415 reported salaries (updated October 31, 2026), with a typical range of ₱14,863 to ₱32,887. Manila was the highest-paying city at ₱37,280, well above Makati (₱25,042), Pasig (₱24,419), and Mandaluyong (₱23,164).
| Source | Reported Monthly Pay | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Government Physical Therapist I (SG 11) | ₱31,705 (Step 1) | Official, DBM NBC 601 |
| Private PT, national average | ₱22,108 (range ₱14,863-₱32,887) | Indeed, 415 salaries |
| Private PT, Manila city average | ₱37,280 | Indeed, city breakdown |
Individual Jobstreet listings we reviewed in November 2026 showed the same band, for example a Makati PT opening advertised at ₱20,000 to ₱25,000 and a relocation role in Dagupan advertising up to ₱35,000. Ask any clinic how pay is computed and what benefits come on top.
Disclaimer: private-sector figures are job-ad averages from Indeed and individual Jobstreet listings, not an official wage survey. Treat them as directional and confirm any offer in writing.
Government vs Private: Which Pays More for PTs?
Government pays noticeably more at entry. Physical Therapist I's ₱31,705 basic salary is about ₱9,600 above Indeed's private average and near the top of its private range, before PERA, bonuses, or any hazard allowance. The catch is availability: you can only be appointed to a plantilla item that is vacant and funded, so a government post is not guaranteed even with a license.
How Much Do Physical Therapists Earn Abroad?
| Country | Reported Pay | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $102,760/year median (May 2025) | Official, US Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| United Kingdom (NHS physiotherapist, Band 5) | £32,073-£39,043/year (2026/27) | Official, NHS Employers pay scales |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 5,078/month average (range AED 1,719-15,003) | Indeed UAE, 267 salaries |
The BLS lists a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) as the typical US entry-level education, so FSBPT's model rules for foreign-educated PTs call for an education credentials review from an approved credentialing agency using the FSBPT Coursework Tool, plus passing the NPTE and the state's jurisprudence exam. Each state board sets its final requirements. In the UK, NHS Health Careers says physiotherapists typically start on Band 5, and "Physiotherapist" and "Physical therapist" are titles protected by law through HCPC registration.
Disclaimer: overseas figures are before tax and exclude credentialing, exam, visa, and relocation costs. Exchange rates move, so convert conservatively.
What Do You Need to Become a Licensed Physical Therapist?
You need a BS Physical Therapy degree and a passing score on the PRC Physical Therapist Licensure Examination, given under RA 5680. The degree takes four years, including a clinical internship, as covered in our BS Physical Therapy guide. For exam coverage, fees, and passing rates, see our physical therapist board exam guide.
RA 5680 dates from 1969, and occupational therapy was moved to its own law, RA 11241, in 2019. A new Philippine Physical Therapy law has been proposed several times: the House approved House Bill 8452 on third reading on August 16, 2023, and new versions such as House Bill 4264 were filed in the 20th Congress in 2025. As of this writing we found no record of a new PT law being signed, so RA 5680 still applies. If you are also weighing OT, see our BS Occupational Therapy guide.
How to Decide If PT Pay Is Worth It
- Target government if starting pay matters. SG 11 is well above the private average, though openings are limited.
- Expect private pay to start modest. Indeed's ₱22,108 average, which covers all experience levels, is a realistic private-sector baseline.
- Location matters more than you might expect. Manila's ₱37,280 city average is well above most other cities in Indeed's data.
- Plan the US route as a multi-year project. Credentials review, the NPTE, and state licensing take time and money, so price them before treating US pay as the goal.
- Compare with nursing and other allied health paths. Our nurse salary guide and medtech salary guide use the same DBM data, so the comparison is apples to apples.
Ready to find the right school? Browse schools or compare tuition and board exam results across hundreds of Philippine schools offering physical therapy on SchoolFinderPH.
Sources
- DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, s. 2026: Third Tranche Salary Schedule (official PDF)
- DBM Index of Occupational Services, Occupational Groups, Classes and Salary Grades, CY 2022 Edition, Volume I
- DBM Local Budget Circular No. 172, July 16, 2026: Third Tranche for LGU Personnel
- Republic Act No. 7305, Magna Carta of Public Health Workers (LawPhil)
- Republic Act No. 5680, Philippine Physical and Occupational Therapy Law (LawPhil)
- Philippine Physical Therapy Association: Physical Therapy Bill updates
- House of Representatives, 20th Congress: House Bill No. 4264 (Physical Therapy bill)
- Indeed: Physical therapist salary in Philippines
- Jobstreet: Physical therapist salary in PH
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physical Therapists, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- FSBPT: Model rules for foreign-educated physical therapists
- NHS Employers: Pay scales for 2026/27
- NHS Health Careers: Physiotherapist
- HCPC: The professions we regulate
- Indeed UAE: Physiotherapist salary
