Physical Therapist Assistants: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary (2024)

How does Physical Therapist Assistants salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 51 states with BLS data.

98% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • National averages across 51 states • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$41,699
$3,475/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$63,937
$5,328/mo
Senior (P90)
$82,446
$6,870/mo

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Physical Therapist Assistants spans from $41,699 at entry-level to $82,446 at senior level — a difference of $40,747 per year.

P10
$41K
P25
$53K
Median
$63K
P75
$73K
P90
$82K

Career Growth Premium: +98%

Senior Physical Therapist Assistantss earn $40,747 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$40,747
Monthly Difference
+$3,396
Hourly Difference
+$19.59
Growth Multiple
2.0x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Physical Therapist Assistants salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $41,699 $3,475 $20.05
Early Career P25 $53,961 $4,497 $25.94
Mid-Career Median $63,937 $5,328 $30.74
Experienced P75 $73,367 $6,114 $35.27
Senior / Expert P90 $82,446 $6,870 $39.64
Key Insight

Physical Therapist Assistants has a moderate salary progression with a 98% growth from entry-level ($41,699) to senior ($82,446). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or moving to higher-paying states. The gap between median ($63,937) and P90 ($82,446) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

Top States for Senior Physical Therapist Assistants Pay

Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Physical Therapist Assistants? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.

1
$135,200
Entry: $27K
+393%
2
$104,710
Entry: $35K
+191%
3
$97,420
Entry: $30K
+220%
4
$94,660
Entry: $33K
+180%
5
$94,100
Entry: $32K
+194%
6
$93,000
Entry: $49K
+86%
7
$92,490
Entry: $38K
+140%
8
$91,070
Entry: $52K
+75%
9
$90,370
Entry: $29K
+203%
10
$87,840
Entry: $32K
+174%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Physical Therapist Assistants?

Entry-level Physical Therapist Assistantss (10th percentile) earn approximately $41,699 per year, or $3,474 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $53,961. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Physical Therapist Assistants make?

Senior Physical Therapist Assistantss (90th percentile) earn approximately $82,446 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $73,367. This represents a career premium of 98% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Physical Therapist Assistants?

The career salary growth potential for Physical Therapist Assistantss is 98%. Entry-level professionals start at $41,699, while senior-level can earn up to $82,446 — a difference of $40,747 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Physical Therapist Assistantss?

The highest-paying state for senior Physical Therapist Assistantss is Nevada, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $135,200 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Physical Therapist Assistants salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. National averages are computed across 51 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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