Physical therapist assistant salary
BLS occupation: Physical Therapist Assistants · also called PTA · Healthcare support · data for May 2025
Median salary $68,380 a year, US
Median hourly pay $32.88 an hour
Middle half earn $59,820–$78,680 25th to 75th percentile
Physical therapist assistants employed 112,430 +23.0% projected by 2035
How much does a physical therapist assistant make?
- The median physical therapist assistant salary in the US is $68,380 a year ($32.88 an hour): half of the 112,430 physical therapist assistants BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $68,730.
- The middle half earn between $59,820 and $78,680. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $47,750 and the top 10% more than $89,510.
- That is 34% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays physical therapist assistants the most (median $83,110), followed by Massachusetts ($79,460) and New Jersey ($78,440). South Dakota pays the least ($49,310).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Texas, where the median is worth $80,365 in typical US prices, then Alaska and Georgia. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 225 of the 340 metro areas with data, the median physical therapist assistant salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of physical therapist assistants to grow 23.0% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 18,500 openings a year. The typical entry education is an associate's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what physical therapist assistants are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Physical therapist assistant salary range
Half of physical therapist assistants earn between $59,820 and $78,680 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $47,750
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $59,820
Median Yearly pay: $68,380
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $78,680
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $89,510
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $47,750 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $59,820 |
| Median | $68,380 |
| Top 25% earn over | $78,680 |
| Top 10% earn over | $89,510 |
Physical therapist assistant salary by state
California pays physical therapist assistants the most; South Dakota the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($68,380), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 median |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 median |
| New Jersey | $78,440 median |
| Texas | $78,000 median |
| Maryland | $77,670 median |
| Alaska | $77,640 median |
| Connecticut | $75,880 median |
| Nevada | $75,520 median |
| Delaware | $74,610 median |
| Virginia | $73,760 median |
| Oregon | $73,180 median |
| Georgia | $72,800 median |
| Florida | $72,530 median |
| Vermont | $71,600 median |
| New Hampshire | $71,440 median |
| South Carolina | $70,500 median |
| Rhode Island | $68,640 median |
| North Carolina | $67,540 median |
| Hawaii | $67,510 median |
| Minnesota | $66,770 median |
| Washington | $66,450 median |
| Maine | $66,250 median |
| Louisiana | $65,370 median |
| Indiana | $65,280 median |
| Illinois | $65,240 median |
| Colorado | $64,810 median |
| Arizona | $64,650 median |
| Arkansas | $64,520 median |
| Kansas | $64,500 median |
| New York | $64,100 median |
| Wisconsin | $64,080 median |
| Ohio | $63,820 median |
| Missouri | $63,770 median |
| Wyoming | $63,550 median |
| North Dakota | $63,520 median |
| District of Columbia | $63,400 median |
| Montana | $62,650 median |
| Pennsylvania | $62,580 median |
| Tennessee | $62,500 median |
| New Mexico | $62,280 median |
| Utah | $61,980 median |
| Mississippi | $61,770 median |
| Michigan | $61,670 median |
| Kentucky | $61,480 median |
| Alabama | $61,430 median |
| Nebraska | $61,370 median |
| Iowa | $61,030 median |
| Idaho | $61,020 median |
| West Virginia | $60,430 median |
| Oklahoma | $59,480 median |
| South Dakota | $49,310 median |
Where physical therapist assistant pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Physical therapist assistants' pay goes furthest in Texas once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Texas | $80,365 |
| Alaska | $75,851 |
| Georgia | $75,603 |
| Nevada | $75,536 |
| South Carolina | $75,201 |
| Massachusetts | $75,135 |
| California | $75,063 |
| Delaware | $74,754 |
| Arkansas | $74,215 |
| Louisiana | $74,110 |
Physical therapist assistant pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $83,110 | $39.96 | $59,500 | $102,800 | 9,400 | $75,063 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 | $38.20 | $62,030 | $88,280 | 2,640 | $75,135 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 | $37.71 | $62,620 | $90,090 | 1,810 | $72,092 |
| Texas | $78,000 | $37.50 | $43,900 | $99,640 | 10,510 | $80,365 |
| Maryland | $77,670 | $37.34 | $39,260 | $91,570 | 1,430 | $74,000 |
| Alaska | $77,640 | $37.33 | $65,640 | $87,850 | 110 | $75,851 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 | $36.48 | $62,070 | $82,870 | 980 | $73,236 |
| Nevada | $75,520 | $36.31 | $49,140 | $87,930 | 560 | $75,536 |
| Delaware | $74,610 | $35.87 | $51,750 | $83,510 | 340 | $74,754 |
| Virginia | $73,760 | $35.46 | $54,170 | $93,600 | 3,370 | $72,955 |
| Oregon | $73,180 | $35.18 | $56,620 | $89,480 | 890 | $70,800 |
| Georgia | $72,800 | $35.00 | $43,400 | $89,600 | 2,620 | $75,603 |
| Florida | $72,530 | $34.87 | $58,650 | $81,080 | 9,870 | $70,136 |
| Vermont | $71,600 | $34.42 | $60,580 | $83,250 | 100 | $73,093 |
| New Hampshire | $71,440 | $34.35 | $59,540 | $80,940 | 500 | $68,583 |
| South Carolina | $70,500 | $33.89 | $47,510 | $88,070 | 1,870 | $75,201 |
| Rhode Island | $68,640 | $33.00 | $58,380 | $76,990 | 420 | $67,110 |
| North Carolina | $67,540 | $32.47 | $56,100 | $80,850 | 3,280 | $71,603 |
| Hawaii | $67,510 | $32.46 | $49,920 | $74,770 | 250 | $61,400 |
| Minnesota | $66,770 | $32.10 | $58,010 | $77,420 | 1,230 | $67,704 |
| Washington | $66,450 | $31.95 | $36,610 | $93,140 | 2,150 | $62,095 |
| Maine | $66,250 | $31.85 | $53,440 | $80,530 | 410 | $68,264 |
| Louisiana | $65,370 | $31.43 | $24,360 | $81,520 | 1,670 | $74,110 |
| Indiana | $65,280 | $31.38 | $46,410 | $80,060 | 2,830 | $69,946 |
| Illinois | $65,240 | $31.37 | $41,600 | $81,890 | 4,890 | $65,267 |
| Colorado | $64,810 | $31.16 | $48,580 | $89,550 | 1,350 | $62,891 |
| Arizona | $64,650 | $31.08 | $36,160 | $79,570 | 2,010 | $64,215 |
| Arkansas | $64,520 | $31.02 | $31,540 | $85,280 | 1,620 | $74,215 |
| Kansas | $64,500 | $31.01 | $52,520 | $79,550 | 1,300 | $71,613 |
| New York | $64,100 | $30.82 | $46,350 | $81,000 | 3,620 | $59,395 |
| Wisconsin | $64,080 | $30.81 | $51,960 | $77,440 | 1,650 | $68,101 |
| Ohio | $63,820 | $30.68 | $51,280 | $84,130 | 7,040 | $68,791 |
| Missouri | $63,770 | $30.66 | $50,460 | $79,000 | 2,490 | $70,218 |
| Wyoming | $63,550 | $30.55 | $48,180 | $79,320 | 240 | $68,561 |
| North Dakota | $63,520 | $30.54 | $30,480 | $77,600 | 120 | $71,404 |
| District of Columbia | $63,400 | $30.48 | $45,750 | $82,250 | 40 | $57,688 |
| Montana | $62,650 | $30.12 | $52,310 | $77,990 | 250 | $66,195 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,580 | $30.09 | $49,610 | $78,010 | 4,270 | $64,137 |
| Tennessee | $62,500 | $30.05 | $48,010 | $80,800 | 3,390 | $68,031 |
| New Mexico | $62,280 | $29.94 | $30,470 | $85,040 | 700 | $67,540 |
| Utah | $61,980 | $29.80 | $34,190 | $84,000 | 970 | $62,692 |
| Mississippi | $61,770 | $29.70 | $51,720 | $78,830 | 1,150 | $71,038 |
| Michigan | $61,670 | $29.65 | $35,700 | $78,600 | 4,520 | $64,095 |
| Kentucky | $61,480 | $29.56 | $27,870 | $79,500 | 2,580 | $68,191 |
| Alabama | $61,430 | $29.53 | $49,340 | $79,060 | 2,700 | $69,160 |
| Nebraska | $61,370 | $29.50 | $48,100 | $77,690 | 980 | $68,111 |
| Iowa | $61,030 | $29.34 | $45,760 | $74,950 | 1,060 | $69,540 |
| Idaho | $61,020 | $29.34 | $37,780 | $75,050 | 560 | $63,899 |
| West Virginia | $60,430 | $29.05 | $45,510 | $79,160 | 980 | $67,522 |
| Oklahoma | $59,480 | $28.60 | $24,960 | $79,860 | 2,380 | $67,712 |
| South Dakota | $49,310 | $23.71 | $40,120 | $63,930 | 300 | $55,663 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Physical therapist assistant salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes physical therapist assistant pay: 344 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $97,190
- San Francisco, CA $95,920
- Spartanburg, SC $88,070
- Santa Cruz, CA $87,330
- Santa Rosa, CA $87,300
- Vallejo, CA $86,630
- Santa Maria, CA $85,150
- Austin, TX $84,930
- Salinas, CA $84,850
- Sacramento, CA $84,290
Where the pay goes furthest
- Spartanburg, SC $96,726
- San Jose, CA $88,016
- Texarkana, TX $87,559
- Florence, SC $87,492
- Wichita Falls, TX $87,484
- Staunton, VA $87,339
- Austin, TX $86,605
- Beaumont, TX $86,434
- Midland, TX $86,257
- Longview, TX $85,690
All 344 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $97,190 | 400 | $88,016 | 47% |
| San Francisco, CA | $95,920 | 1,040 | $82,966 | 43% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $88,070 | 160 | $96,726 | 20% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $87,330 | 60 | $79,466 | 48% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $87,300 | 90 | $80,995 | 37% |
| Vallejo, CA | $86,630 | 50 | $79,859 | 34% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $85,150 | 100 | $78,264 | 46% |
| Austin, TX | $84,930 | 1,180 | $86,605 | 23% |
| Salinas, CA | $84,850 | 70 | $77,814 | 39% |
| Sacramento, CA | $84,290 | 570 | $79,019 | 32% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $84,100 | 150 | $83,361 | 26% |
| Modesto, CA | $83,450 | 150 | $80,157 | 30% |
| Midland, TX | $82,620 | 70 | $86,257 | 23% |
| San Diego, CA | $82,160 | 870 | $73,431 | 43% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,140 | 3,730 | $72,328 | 43% |
| Stockton, CA | $81,310 | 160 | $77,373 | 36% |
| Boston, MA | $80,430 | 1,860 | $74,289 | 45% |
| Dallas, TX | $80,370 | 2,110 | $77,961 | 25% |
| Barnstable, MA | $79,790 | 90 | $81,128 | 39% |
| Staunton, VA | $79,590 | 50 | $87,339 | 22% |
| Oxnard, CA | $79,480 | 210 | $71,905 | 45% |
| Visalia, CA | $79,440 | 100 | $79,579 | 26% |
| Baltimore, MD | $79,250 | 620 | $75,847 | 29% |
| Riverside, CA | $79,210 | 860 | $74,416 | 38% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $78,990 | 70 | $72,737 | 43% |
| Washington, DC | $78,790 | 1,340 | $72,361 | 37% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $78,310 | 60 | $87,484 | 20% |
| San Angelo, TX | $78,200 | 60 | $84,584 | 20% |
| Beaumont, TX | $77,830 | 150 | $86,434 | 20% |
| Redding, CA | $77,740 | 60 | $77,212 | 26% |
| Anchorage, AK | $77,570 | 80 | $73,582 | 29% |
| Houston, TX | $77,280 | 2,210 | $78,354 | 25% |
| Reno, NV | $77,200 | 70 | $76,425 | 32% |
| Fresno, CA | $77,000 | 220 | $75,373 | 32% |
| Worcester, MA | $76,900 | 310 | $75,008 | 33% |
| San Antonio, TX | $76,830 | 960 | $81,116 | 22% |
| Naples, FL | $76,690 | 120 | $74,312 | 41% |
| Longview, TX | $76,680 | 120 | $85,690 | 18% |
| Chico, CA | $76,580 | 100 | $75,674 | 24% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $76,530 | 40 | $75,953 | 32% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $76,380 | 40 | $76,195 | – |
| Medford, OR | $76,340 | 50 | $75,262 | 29% |
| Waco, TX | $76,340 | 140 | $82,485 | 22% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $76,190 | 240 | $71,296 | 45% |
| Killeen, TX | $76,140 | 150 | $83,549 | 21% |
| New Haven, CT | $76,140 | 170 | $72,820 | 32% |
| Abilene, TX | $76,090 | 60 | $84,204 | 31% |
| Burlington, NC | $76,010 | 40 | $81,559 | 21% |
| Florence, SC | $75,920 | 90 | $87,492 | 24% |
| Wilmington, NC | $75,820 | 220 | $78,634 | 28% |
| Sherman, TX | $75,800 | 80 | $80,835 | 21% |
| Tyler, TX | $75,670 | 150 | $82,111 | 21% |
| New York, NY | $75,620 | 3,220 | $67,180 | 56% |
| Dover, DE | $75,580 | 70 | $77,512 | 28% |
| Hartford, CT | $75,570 | 270 | $73,550 | 32% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $75,520 | 430 | $75,358 | 28% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $75,420 | 150 | $84,397 | 20% |
| Norwich, CT | $75,420 | 60 | $75,086 | 33% |
| Trenton, NJ | $75,410 | 80 | $73,086 | 40% |
| Salisbury, MD | $75,370 | 50 | $78,825 | 31% |
| College Station, TX | $74,980 | 90 | $82,440 | 24% |
| Atlanta, GA | $74,730 | 1,370 | $74,687 | 30% |
| Portland, OR | $74,690 | 470 | $70,849 | 29% |
| Waterbury, CT | $74,510 | 150 | $74,676 | – |
| Olympia, WA | $74,250 | 80 | $71,621 | 33% |
| Greenville, SC | $74,140 | 380 | $79,498 | 25% |
| Yakima, WA | $74,100 | 50 | $77,555 | 22% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $74,010 | 80 | $74,647 | 33% |
| New Orleans, LA | $73,980 | 260 | $79,895 | 26% |
| Durham, NC | $73,970 | 130 | $75,811 | 27% |
| Springfield, MA | $73,930 | 180 | $76,962 | 32% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $73,920 | 200 | $79,766 | 23% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $73,710 | 40 | $73,471 | 35% |
| Richmond, VA | $73,640 | 560 | $75,252 | 28% |
| Rochester, MN | $73,580 | 50 | $81,017 | 26% |
| Yuba City, CA | $73,580 | 30 | $70,592 | 33% |
| Winchester, VA | $73,570 | 60 | $76,278 | 30% |
| Texarkana, TX | $73,560 | 90 | $87,559 | 20% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $73,440 | 50 | $74,289 | 33% |
| Sebring, FL | $73,410 | 40 | $79,388 | 25% |
| Victoria, TX | $73,310 | 80 | $81,602 | 19% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $73,300 | 790 | $74,841 | 31% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $73,100 | 200 | $80,019 | 26% |
| Brownsville, TX | $73,020 | 140 | $84,932 | 25% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $73,000 | 50 | $78,740 | 27% |
| Kennewick, WA | $72,980 | 70 | $72,922 | 28% |
| Amarillo, TX | $72,750 | 150 | $79,231 | 22% |
| Lubbock, TX | $72,740 | 180 | $79,657 | 22% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $72,600 | 320 | $72,596 | 31% |
| Miami, FL | $72,530 | 3,420 | $63,536 | 44% |
| McAllen, TX | $72,520 | 410 | $84,429 | 19% |
| Brunswick, GA | $72,500 | 30 | $82,661 | 28% |
| Chicago, IL | $72,230 | 3,520 | $69,723 | 36% |
| Providence, RI | $72,150 | 630 | $70,893 | 36% |
| Rome, GA | $71,680 | 80 | $79,502 | 21% |
| Crestview, FL | $71,540 | 110 | $73,729 | 33% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $71,540 | 1,650 | $69,758 | 32% |
| Manchester, NH | $71,440 | 110 | $67,615 | 36% |
| El Paso, TX | $71,140 | 320 | $79,122 | 26% |
| Orlando, FL | $71,110 | 930 | $70,116 | 33% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $71,100 | 280 | $69,468 | 31% |
| Charlotte, NC | $70,720 | 870 | $72,647 | 29% |
| The Villages, FL | $70,480 | 60 | $82,506 | 29% |
| Odessa, TX | $70,470 | 60 | $75,051 | 27% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $70,200 | 40 | $71,076 | 33% |
| Tampa, FL | $70,170 | 1,340 | $69,551 | 34% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $70,140 | 50 | $73,749 | 30% |
| Janesville, WI | $69,900 | 50 | $74,597 | 22% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $69,790 | 730 | $66,580 | 30% |
| Reading, PA | $69,530 | 90 | $71,636 | 27% |
| Columbus, OH | $69,480 | 1,100 | $72,778 | 26% |
| North Port, FL | $69,380 | 450 | $67,743 | 36% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $69,150 | 30 | $78,169 | 26% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $69,140 | 40 | $66,574 | 30% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $69,050 | 1,040 | $72,156 | 27% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $68,700 | 700 | $71,903 | 28% |
| Slidell, LA | $68,520 | 110 | $73,895 | – |
| Valdosta, GA | $68,470 | 30 | $77,568 | 23% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $68,330 | 60 | $69,544 | 33% |
| Gainesville, FL | $68,230 | 170 | $70,534 | 29% |
| Lewiston, ME | $68,190 | 30 | $71,979 | 28% |
| Macon, GA | $68,070 | 50 | $76,891 | 21% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $68,030 | 150 | $72,785 | 31% |
| Raleigh, NC | $67,890 | 390 | $69,165 | 30% |
| Sebastian, FL | $67,720 | 80 | $68,886 | 38% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $67,460 | 750 | $67,810 | 30% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $67,190 | 60 | $70,994 | 24% |
| Portland, ME | $67,140 | 150 | $65,915 | 41% |
| Roanoke, VA | $67,140 | 130 | $71,717 | 25% |
| Salem, OR | $67,090 | 130 | $64,728 | 29% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $66,820 | 90 | $66,471 | 33% |
| Bremerton, WA | $66,810 | 80 | $63,263 | 37% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $66,760 | 50 | $76,039 | 18% |
| Dalton, GA | $66,650 | 30 | $74,184 | 25% |
| Shreveport, LA | $66,550 | 180 | $78,510 | 23% |
| Deltona, FL | $66,540 | 260 | $66,964 | 32% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $66,510 | 290 | $73,265 | 25% |
| Honolulu, HI | $66,500 | 200 | $59,931 | 54% |
| Bellingham, WA | $66,450 | 80 | $64,306 | 35% |
| Springfield, IL | $66,390 | 70 | $71,583 | 22% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $66,320 | 150 | $60,609 | 41% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $66,310 | 100 | $73,238 | 21% |
| South Bend, IN | $66,300 | 110 | $71,399 | 23% |
| Lakeland, FL | $66,090 | 220 | $68,035 | 33% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $66,080 | 280 | $65,930 | 42% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $65,980 | 120 | $70,064 | 29% |
| Pueblo, CO | $65,970 | – | $71,893 | 24% |
| Athens, GA | $65,910 | 70 | $70,611 | 32% |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,820 | 1,100 | $69,220 | 26% |
| Nashville, TN | $65,650 | 830 | $68,145 | 33% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $65,630 | 480 | $67,704 | 28% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $65,620 | 230 | $65,159 | 32% |
| Kansas City, MO | $65,580 | 880 | $70,864 | 28% |
| Allentown, PA | $65,510 | 250 | $65,531 | 34% |
| Houma, LA | $65,480 | 70 | $76,942 | 24% |
| Seattle, WA | $65,450 | 1,120 | $58,893 | 41% |
| Denver, CO | $65,320 | 590 | $61,750 | 35% |
| Wheeling, WV | $65,280 | 100 | $73,911 | 16% |
| Pensacola, FL | $65,220 | 220 | $66,744 | 32% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $65,220 | 70 | $74,104 | 23% |
| Tucson, AZ | $65,220 | 260 | $67,309 | 27% |
| Decatur, IL | $65,210 | 40 | $73,749 | 19% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $65,170 | 930 | $68,334 | 28% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $65,140 | 30 | $68,227 | 32% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $65,110 | 110 | $69,326 | 27% |
| Gadsden, AL | $65,060 | 160 | $75,958 | 20% |
| Gainesville, GA | $65,040 | 60 | $67,214 | 31% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $64,990 | 310 | $64,431 | 30% |
| Kankakee, IL | $64,960 | 40 | $67,390 | 25% |
| Kenosha, WI | $64,940 | 50 | $64,222 | – |
| Dayton, OH | $64,930 | 510 | $70,048 | 24% |
| Duluth, MN | $64,900 | 90 | $73,112 | 25% |
| Springfield, OH | $64,860 | 60 | $71,683 | 22% |
| Cleveland, OH | $64,800 | 1,280 | $68,993 | 27% |
| Spokane, WA | $64,740 | 220 | $64,517 | 28% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $64,720 | 1,440 | $62,643 | 32% |
| Lawton, OK | $64,660 | 50 | $75,238 | 21% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $64,660 | 180 | $70,250 | 28% |
| Greensboro, NC | $64,610 | 190 | $69,574 | 26% |
| Ocala, FL | $64,580 | 130 | $67,812 | 30% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $64,550 | 100 | $75,188 | 25% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $64,520 | 130 | $70,147 | 27% |
| Laredo, TX | $64,500 | 110 | $74,175 | 21% |
| Panama City, FL | $64,380 | 70 | $66,169 | 32% |
| Cleveland, TN | $64,290 | 40 | $72,990 | 26% |
| Johnson City, TN | $64,270 | 100 | $73,094 | 28% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $64,270 | 150 | $68,634 | 32% |
| Monroe, LA | $64,250 | 70 | $76,857 | 22% |
| Topeka, KS | $64,250 | 170 | $72,337 | 23% |
| Appleton, WI | $64,240 | 50 | $69,510 | 22% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $64,120 | 60 | $73,170 | 23% |
| Little Rock, AR | $64,110 | 460 | $71,740 | 23% |
| Albany, NY | $64,050 | 120 | $64,329 | 32% |
| Rockford, IL | $64,040 | 90 | $69,492 | 24% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $64,040 | 100 | $73,003 | 31% |
| Morristown, TN | $63,940 | 70 | $74,035 | 29% |
| Greenville, NC | $63,900 | 80 | $72,283 | 28% |
| Asheville, NC | $63,860 | 140 | $66,172 | 32% |
| Elkhart, IN | $63,860 | 50 | $70,700 | 22% |
| Canton, OH | $63,820 | 330 | $71,382 | 21% |
| Hickory, NC | $63,800 | 140 | $72,102 | 30% |
| Savannah, GA | $63,600 | 70 | $66,803 | 33% |
| Green Bay, WI | $63,590 | 100 | $68,313 | 21% |
| Columbia, MO | $63,540 | 110 | $71,044 | 28% |
| Omaha, NE | $63,470 | 440 | $69,056 | 26% |
| Toledo, OH | $63,450 | 530 | $69,378 | 24% |
| Madison, WI | $63,380 | 180 | $65,147 | 34% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $63,280 | 60 | $73,813 | 23% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $63,210 | 140 | $73,596 | 20% |
| La Crosse, WI | $63,180 | 80 | $68,847 | 26% |
| Logan, UT | $63,120 | 40 | $65,800 | 27% |
| Akron, OH | $63,050 | 450 | $67,527 | 25% |
| Charleston, WV | $63,020 | 80 | $71,035 | 23% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $63,010 | 60 | $65,301 | 29% |
| Columbia, SC | $62,920 | 300 | $67,178 | 30% |
| Wichita, KS | $62,900 | 230 | $70,717 | 23% |
| Billings, MT | $62,870 | 60 | $67,222 | 27% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $62,860 | 90 | $66,280 | 25% |
| Owensboro, KY | $62,860 | 80 | $70,940 | 24% |
| Waterloo, IA | $62,850 | 60 | $72,194 | 20% |
| Decatur, AL | $62,810 | 60 | $72,020 | 21% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $62,740 | 130 | $69,573 | 23% |
| Lexington, KY | $62,730 | 310 | $67,532 | 31% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $62,700 | 170 | $73,012 | 24% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $62,670 | 60 | $66,601 | 29% |
| Kingsport, TN | $62,620 | 160 | $72,437 | 25% |
| Alexandria, LA | $62,530 | 50 | $72,976 | 20% |
| Augusta, GA | $62,510 | 150 | $68,017 | 28% |
| Bend, OR | $62,490 | 80 | $60,314 | 43% |
| Columbus, GA | $62,410 | 100 | $69,891 | 26% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $62,400 | 30 | $66,532 | 29% |
| York, PA | $62,400 | 130 | $65,000 | 27% |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,380 | 800 | $68,068 | 27% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $62,360 | 340 | $68,180 | 29% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $62,360 | 230 | $67,364 | 24% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $62,350 | 40 | $70,583 | 36% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $62,330 | 190 | $63,183 | 29% |
| Charleston, SC | $62,270 | 280 | $61,677 | 39% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $62,270 | 40 | $67,605 | 30% |
| Detroit, MI | $62,220 | 1,880 | $62,035 | 29% |
| Casper, WY | $62,110 | 40 | $66,195 | 28% |
| Jackson, MS | $62,100 | 260 | $69,738 | 28% |
| Ames, IA | $62,040 | 30 | $69,841 | 22% |
| Lafayette, IN | $62,030 | 110 | $66,392 | 28% |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,950 | 220 | $63,049 | 31% |
| Anniston, AL | $61,910 | 50 | $72,031 | 19% |
| Great Falls, MT | $61,900 | 30 | $63,917 | 28% |
| Evansville, IN | $61,860 | 150 | $67,586 | 21% |
| Louisville, KY | $61,830 | 750 | $66,431 | 26% |
| Gulfport, MS | $61,820 | 190 | $68,684 | 28% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $61,780 | 30 | $67,090 | 31% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $61,740 | 30 | $65,081 | 28% |
| Altoona, PA | $61,670 | 80 | $68,900 | 20% |
| Yuma, AZ | $61,610 | 50 | $66,457 | 28% |
| Hammond, LA | $61,590 | 70 | $72,922 | 26% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $61,560 | 90 | $71,517 | 20% |
| Memphis, TN | $61,560 | 490 | $66,783 | 27% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $61,510 | 50 | $71,207 | 20% |
| Bloomington, IN | $61,460 | 50 | $64,638 | 34% |
| Champaign, IL | $61,430 | 80 | $66,265 | 27% |
| Mobile, AL | $61,430 | 210 | $69,729 | 25% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $61,420 | 50 | $59,955 | 43% |
| Springfield, MO | $61,420 | 190 | $69,335 | 24% |
| Des Moines, IA | $61,360 | 170 | $66,913 | 25% |
| Boise, ID | $61,350 | 200 | $62,353 | 38% |
| Provo, UT | $61,320 | 190 | $62,424 | 35% |
| Traverse City, MI | $61,290 | 130 | $65,641 | 36% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $61,270 | 40 | $65,932 | 25% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $61,250 | 50 | $69,622 | 20% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $61,220 | 100 | $67,862 | 29% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $61,200 | 230 | $60,666 | 38% |
| Columbus, IN | $61,140 | 40 | $65,740 | 27% |
| Davenport, IA | $61,130 | 140 | $68,624 | 20% |
| Peoria, IL | $61,120 | 160 | $66,995 | 23% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $61,110 | 80 | $62,171 | 36% |
| Bangor, ME | $61,090 | 60 | $63,300 | 30% |
| Syracuse, NY | $61,010 | 130 | $63,723 | 32% |
| Jackson, MI | $60,990 | – | $66,453 | 23% |
| Jackson, TN | $60,980 | 120 | $71,303 | 27% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $60,970 | 100 | $60,290 | 39% |
| Mansfield, OH | $60,940 | 50 | $68,571 | 18% |
| Muskegon, MI | $60,940 | 110 | $65,868 | 25% |
| Eugene, OR | $60,930 | 90 | $59,989 | 35% |
| Montgomery, AL | $60,910 | 170 | $67,918 | 27% |
| Grand Island, NE | $60,880 | 60 | $70,254 | 26% |
| Ogden, UT | $60,880 | 210 | $60,668 | 32% |
| Huntsville, AL | $60,870 | 260 | $65,401 | 27% |
| Lafayette, LA | $60,760 | 180 | $69,672 | 27% |
| Lansing, MI | $60,740 | 120 | $63,943 | 26% |
| Sandusky, OH | $60,610 | 50 | $67,887 | 36% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $60,560 | 50 | $66,864 | 26% |
| Sioux City, IA | $60,530 | 40 | $70,014 | 26% |
| Scranton, PA | $60,520 | 200 | $64,689 | 27% |
| Williamsport, PA | $60,480 | 50 | $65,490 | 22% |
| Lima, OH | $60,420 | 80 | $67,381 | 24% |
| St. George, UT | $60,350 | 120 | $62,011 | 37% |
| Binghamton, NY | $60,280 | 80 | $64,913 | 32% |
| Knoxville, TN | $60,280 | 440 | $65,119 | 34% |
| Wausau, WI | $60,250 | 40 | $65,029 | 19% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $60,210 | 50 | $64,884 | 23% |
| Manhattan, KS | $60,210 | 50 | $66,780 | 25% |
| Lebanon, PA | $60,180 | 40 | $64,561 | 29% |
| Saginaw, MI | $60,050 | 70 | $66,068 | 21% |
| Utica, NY | $59,970 | 80 | $64,708 | 28% |
| Huntington, WV | $59,930 | 280 | $67,777 | 22% |
| Morgantown, WV | $59,920 | 130 | $64,207 | 27% |
| Tulsa, OK | $59,910 | 680 | $67,153 | 28% |
| Youngstown, OH | $59,830 | 380 | $68,460 | 21% |
| Greeley, CO | $59,780 | 50 | $59,675 | 34% |
| Florence, AL | $59,700 | 80 | $70,387 | 22% |
| Daphne, AL | $59,640 | 90 | $62,984 | 34% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $59,620 | 370 | $62,399 | 30% |
| Bloomington, IL | $59,590 | 80 | $63,707 | 26% |
| Beckley, WV | $59,400 | 70 | $67,218 | 21% |
| Boulder, CO | $59,250 | 100 | $56,320 | 44% |
| Flint, MI | $59,210 | 130 | $63,643 | 21% |
| Rochester, NY | $59,190 | 210 | $60,999 | 31% |
| Clarksville, TN | $59,160 | 100 | $65,049 | 27% |
| Erie, PA | $59,120 | 110 | $65,003 | 23% |
| Bay City, MI | $58,970 | 110 | $64,153 | 21% |
| Racine, WI | $58,950 | 80 | $61,431 | 30% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $58,850 | 1,060 | $65,094 | 28% |
| State College, PA | $58,780 | 50 | $60,747 | 40% |
| Paducah, KY | $58,720 | 60 | $68,212 | 24% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $58,690 | 40 | $62,164 | 29% |
| Lincoln, NE | $58,650 | 170 | $64,042 | 26% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $58,610 | 90 | $66,881 | 27% |
| Joplin, MO | $58,240 | 80 | $67,944 | 26% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $58,190 | 70 | $59,367 | 41% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,180 | 110 | $65,398 | 25% |
| Iowa City, IA | $58,140 | 60 | $63,535 | 36% |
| Johnstown, PA | $58,080 | 50 | $67,591 | 18% |
| Weirton, WV | $58,070 | 60 | $65,230 | 17% |
| Muncie, IN | $57,940 | 40 | $65,730 | 22% |
| Pocatello, ID | $57,870 | 60 | $65,091 | 22% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $57,790 | 60 | $66,375 | 22% |
| Buffalo, NY | $56,630 | 340 | $59,086 | 31% |
| Dothan, AL | $56,150 | 130 | $66,978 | 26% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $56,020 | 670 | $59,173 | 31% |
| Farmington, NM | $54,100 | 60 | $61,683 | 31% |
| Dubuque, IA | $51,640 | 50 | $59,133 | 25% |
| Michigan City, IN | $51,000 | 30 | $55,627 | 28% |
| Rapid City, SD | $50,010 | 40 | $56,090 | 35% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $49,080 | 120 | $54,154 | 31% |
What the median physical therapist assistant salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $68,380 |
| Month | $5,698 |
| Every two weeks | $2,630 |
| Week | $1,315 |
| Hour | $32.88 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a physical therapist assistant: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +23.0% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 18,500 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | $42,260 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Occupational therapy assistant | $72,300 | Associate's degree |
| Dental assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Massage therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Vet assistant | $38,150 | High school diploma |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Sterile processing technician | $47,700 | High school diploma |
| Home health aide | $35,800 | High school diploma |
Questions about physical therapist assistant pay
How much does a physical therapist assistant make an hour?
The median is $32.88 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $22.96 and the top 10% over $43.04.
How much does a physical therapist assistant make a month?
About $5,698 a month before taxes at the median salary of $68,380, or $2,630 every two weeks.
What state pays physical therapist assistants the most?
California, with a median of $83,110. Massachusetts ($79,460), New Jersey ($78,440), Texas ($78,000) and Maryland ($77,670) follow.
Where do physical therapist assistants make the most after cost of living?
Texas: its median of $78,000 is worth $80,365 at typical US prices. Alaska, Georgia and Nevada come next.
How much do entry-level physical therapist assistants make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of physical therapist assistants earn under $47,750 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $59,820, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a physical therapist assistant?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as an associate's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 31-2021 (Physical Therapist Assistants). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.