Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Physical Therapist Assistants Make?
Physical Therapist Assistants earn a median annual salary of $65,510 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $46,020 at the 10th percentile to $87,630 at the 90th percentile — a range of $41,610. The highest-paying state is California at $79,410.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,020 |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 |
| Median (50th) | $65,510 |
| 75th percentile | $77,270 |
| 90th percentile | $87,630 |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $79,410 |
| Massachusetts | $77,780 |
| Alaska | $76,310 |
| Texas | $76,250 |
| New Jersey | $74,780 |
| Connecticut | $74,120 |
| Virginia | $73,900 |
| Nevada | $73,080 |
| Washington | $72,950 |
| Maryland | $71,770 |
| Georgia | $71,530 |
| Oregon | $69,510 |
| South Carolina | $68,340 |
| Vermont | $67,990 |
| Arkansas | $67,230 |
| New Hampshire | $67,150 |
| Arizona | $66,110 |
| Florida | $66,100 |
| New York | $64,660 |
| Illinois | $64,630 |
| North Carolina | $63,930 |
| Delaware | $63,410 |
| Rhode Island | $63,410 |
| Minnesota | $63,240 |
| Kansas | $63,010 |
| Tennessee | $62,920 |
| Indiana | $62,890 |
| Montana | $62,540 |
| Kentucky | $62,400 |
| Oklahoma | $62,380 |
| Ohio | $62,140 |
| Hawaii | $62,120 |
| Colorado | $62,110 |
| Wisconsin | $61,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,610 |
| Louisiana | $61,340 |
| Mississippi | $61,220 |
| Utah | $61,110 |
| Missouri | $60,940 |
| Alabama | $60,890 |
| Wyoming | $60,850 |
| Maine | $60,830 |
| Iowa | $60,720 |
| Nebraska | $60,430 |
| West Virginia | $60,270 |
| North Dakota | $59,970 |
| Michigan | $59,510 |
| New Mexico | $59,330 |
| Idaho | $58,240 |
| District of Columbia | $54,660 |
| South Dakota | $49,840 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Physical Therapist Assistants
Physical Therapist Assistant 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) | ~$46,020 – $58,240 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$65,510 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$77,270 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $87,630+ |
How to Earn More as a Physical Therapist Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Physical Therapist Assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $97,350 — $31,840 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 ($77,270) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Physical Therapist Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistantthis career | $65,510 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,260 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,340 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,020 |
| Radiation Therapist | $101,990 |
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SOC: 31-2021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.