How much does a physiotherapist earn?

Physiotherapists treat movement and functional disorders with exercise therapy, manual techniques and physical modalities – in practices, hospitals, rehab and sports. Training is usually a three-year school-based programme with practical placements; bachelor programmes are also increasingly available. Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements (e.g. TVöD), employer and specialisation. As a guide, qualified physiotherapists in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,100–€3,700 gross per month; in training around €900–€1,200 is typical where a training allowance is paid.

Comic illustration of a physiotherapist treating a patient on a therapy couch
Created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed

Salary by region (gross/month)

Region
Training (gross/month)
Qualified (gross/month)
Baden-Württemberg
1.090–1.470 €
3.050–4.050 €
Bavaria
1.120–1.510 €
3.100–4.150 €
Berlin
1.040–1.400 €
3.120–3.950 €
Brandenburg
910–1.250 €
2.680–3.320 €
Bremen
1.010–1.370 €
2.880–3.620 €
Hamburg
1.130–1.500 €
3.100–4.000 €
Hesse
1.060–1.440 €
2.980–3.880 €
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
870–1.190 €
2.600–3.250 €
Lower Saxony
980–1.350 €
2.860–3.600 €
North Rhine-Westphalia
1.050–1.420 €
2.940–3.720 €
Rhineland-Palatinate
960–1.320 €
2.800–3.550 €
Saarland
940–1.290 €
2.760–3.480 €
Saxony
890–1.230 €
2.650–3.300 €
Saxony-Anhalt
860–1.200 €
2.620–3.260 €
Schleswig-Holstein
990–1.340 €
2.830–3.540 €
Thuringia
840–1.170 €
2.550–3.180 €
Germany (average)
1.010–1.380 €
2.900–3.700 €

Guide figures as of 2026. Actual pay depends on employer, region, collective agreement, experience, specialisation and working-time model and is not a guarantee. The training column refers to school-based training phases with an allowance or typical internship/training pay – a training allowance is not paid everywhere.

Further training options

Option
Duration
Salary impact
Manual therapy
Weeks to months
often €3,300–€3,950
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
Weeks to months
often €3,250–€3,900
Bobath / neurophysiotherapy
Weeks to months
often €3,300–€4,000
Sports physiotherapy
Weeks to months
often €3,350–€4,100
Healthcare business administrator / practice management
approx. 1–2 years
often €3,700–€4,600
Bachelor in physiotherapy / degree
approx. 3–4 years
often €3,800–€4,800

Job and everyday work

Physiotherapists work in practices, hospitals, rehab facilities, care homes and sports. Everyday work combines assessment, individual therapy, guidance on self-exercises and close coordination with the multiprofessional team – focusing on movement, pain reduction and functional ability.

  • Welcome patients, take history and findings, and agree therapy goals together.
  • Plan and deliver exercise therapy, manual techniques and physical modalities individually.
  • Teach home exercise programmes, document progress and adjust treatment plans.
  • Collaborate with doctors, occupational therapy, nursing and rehab in a multiprofessional team.
  • Support prevention, training and advice on posture, load and mobility.
  • Keep careful documentation and billing in practices, hospitals, rehab or sports settings.

Show physiotherapist jobs in the Eifel (1)