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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
A $20K salary difference sounds abstract until you multiply it by a career. The national median salary for Physical Therapy Assistants in 2026 is $72,161, with entry-level positions averaging $51,956 and senior roles reaching $102,469. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $131,440, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
Physical Therapy Assistant falls within the Healthcare Support sector, specifically in Healthcare Support. The typical education path involves Associate's degree. The career outlook? Growing. Work style is clinical — which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
$79,980 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Physical Therapy Assistant in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $131,440 — $79,980 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($51,460). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
The three-tier salary picture for Physical Therapy Assistants in 2026: $51,956 at entry (P10), $72,161 at midpoint, and $102,469 at the senior end (P90). Compare this to adjacent occupations, and the value of this career becomes clearer. The $50,513 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $8,206 below the national median household income of $80,367.
The demand picture adds context to these salary numbers. The top 3 paying cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) average $122,760 — while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) average $51,873. That $70,887 gap means choosing the right city could be the equivalent of a major promotion. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
A Physical Therapy Assistant in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $131,440 — $79,980 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($51,460). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Physical Therapy Assistant is $51,956, while senior-level (P90) earners average $102,469. That $50,513 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
Even at the 10th percentile, Physical Therapy Assistants average $51,956 nationally. That's a higher starting floor than many careers' median — a signal of strong baseline demand and compensation.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $51,956 | $72,161 | $102,469 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £28,038 | £38,941 | £55,297 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$42,758 | CA$59,386 | CA$84,328 |
| Australia | 13 | A$48,334 | A$67,130 | A$95,325 |
| Sweden | 24 | 294,842 kr | 409,503 kr | 581,494 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $62,708 | $87,095 | $123,675 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $60,599 | $84,165 | $119,514 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $60,264 | $83,700 | $118,854 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $55,800 | $77,500 | $110,050 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $55,130 | $76,570 | $108,729 |
| Washington | 8 | $54,070 | $75,098 | $106,638 |
| New York | 5 | $50,889 | $70,680 | $100,365 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $50,890 | $70,680 | $100,366 |
| Florida | 22 | $50,504 | $70,145 | $99,605 |
| Colorado | 11 | $49,632 | $68,933 | $97,885 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $49,550 | $68,820 | $97,724 |
| Nevada | 5 | $49,461 | $68,696 | $97,548 |
| Arizona | 12 | $49,216 | $68,355 | $97,064 |
| Oregon | 5 | $49,104 | $68,200 | $96,844 |
| Idaho | 3 | $48,955 | $67,993 | $96,551 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $48,568 | $67,456 | $95,788 |
| Utah | 4 | $48,434 | $67,270 | $95,523 |
| Virginia | 7 | $47,637 | $66,163 | $93,951 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $47,021 | $65,307 | $92,735 |
| Alaska | 1 | $46,872 | $65,100 | $92,442 |
| Illinois | 5 | $46,336 | $64,356 | $91,385 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $45,186 | $62,758 | $89,116 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $44,640 | $62,000 | $88,040 |
| Montana | 1 | $44,640 | $62,000 | $88,040 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $44,491 | $61,793 | $87,746 |
| Texas | 40 | $44,272 | $61,489 | $87,314 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $44,194 | $61,380 | $87,160 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $43,971 | $61,070 | $86,720 |
| Georgia | 6 | $43,822 | $60,863 | $86,426 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $43,747 | $60,760 | $86,279 |
| Kansas | 4 | $43,524 | $60,450 | $85,839 |
| Michigan | 6 | $43,375 | $60,243 | $85,546 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $42,855 | $59,520 | $84,519 |
| Maryland | 1 | $42,854 | $59,520 | $84,518 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $42,408 | $58,900 | $83,638 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $42,408 | $58,900 | $83,638 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $41,292 | $57,350 | $81,437 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $41,069 | $57,040 | $80,997 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $40,511 | $56,265 | $79,896 |
| Missouri | 4 | $40,511 | $56,265 | $79,897 |
| Alabama | 5 | $40,355 | $56,048 | $79,588 |
| Indiana | 3 | $39,730 | $55,180 | $78,356 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $39,730 | $55,180 | $78,356 |
| Iowa | 2 | $39,283 | $54,560 | $77,475 |
| Ohio | 6 | $39,209 | $54,457 | $77,329 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $37,498 | $52,080 | $73,954 |
At the state level, California leads with an average Physical Therapy Assistant median of $87,095 across 61 cities, followed by Massachusetts ($84,165) and Hawaii ($83,700). Contrast that with the lowest-paying markets: The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa — offer medians between $52,080 and $54,560. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($131,440 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $62,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $131,440 | 212 | $62,000 | $79,315 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $122,760 | 198 | $62,000 | $74,537 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $114,080 | 184 | $62,000 | $69,759 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $112,220 | 181 | $62,000 | $68,735 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $110,360 | 178 | $62,000 | $67,711 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $109,740 | 177 | $62,000 | $67,369 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $109,740 | 177 | $62,000 | $67,369 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $107,260 | 173 | $62,000 | $66,004 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $107,260 | 173 | $62,000 | $66,004 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $104,780 | 169 | $62,000 | $64,639 |
The $50,513 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Physical Therapy Assistant career. Senior-level earners make 2.0× what entry-level professionals do — a solid progression that justifies the upfront investment. In the Healthcare Support sector, growing, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling.
The weighted national median salary for Physical Therapy Assistants is $72,161 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $51,956, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $102,469.
The highest-paying city for Physical Therapy Assistants is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $131,440. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($131,440), Santa Clara ($122,760), Irvine ($114,080). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Physical Therapy Assistant salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $51,460. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Physical Therapy Assistants (10th percentile) average $51,956 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $94,637. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Physical Therapy Assistants average $102,469 nationally — $50,513 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Physical Therapy Assistants can earn up to $186,645.
The top-paying states for Physical Therapy Assistants are California ($87,095 median), Massachusetts ($84,165 median), Hawaii ($83,700 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Physical Therapy Assistant involves Associate's degree. The field is in the Healthcare Support sector (Healthcare Support), and the career outlook is growing. Work style is typically clinical.
With a national median of $72,161 and representation across 288 metro areas, Physical Therapy Assistant offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $50,513 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: growing.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.