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Physical Therapist Assistants: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

74% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • National averages across 51 states • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$47,371
$3,948/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$67,076
$5,590/mo
Senior (P90)
$82,645
$6,887/mo

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Physical Therapist Assistants spans from $47,371 at entry-level to $82,645 at senior level — a difference of $35,274 per year.

P10
$47K
P25
$58K
Median
$67K
P75
$75K
P90
$82K

Career Growth Premium: +74%

Senior Physical Therapist Assistantss earn $35,274 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$35,274
Monthly Difference
+$2,940
Hourly Difference
+$16.96
Growth Multiple
1.7x

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 $47,371 $3,948 $22.77
Early Career P25 $58,392 $4,866 $28.07
Mid-Career Median $67,076 $5,590 $32.25
Experienced P75 $75,899 $6,325 $36.49
Senior / Expert P90 $82,645 $6,887 $39.73
Key Insight

Physical Therapist Assistants has a moderate salary progression with a 74% growth from entry-level ($47,371) to senior ($82,645). 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 ($67,076) and P90 ($82,645) 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
$102,800
Entry: $59K
+73%
2
$99,640
Entry: $43K
+127%
3
$93,600
Entry: $54K
+73%
4
$93,140
Entry: $36K
+154%
5
$91,570
Entry: $39K
+133%
6
$90,090
Entry: $62K
+44%
7
$89,600
Entry: $43K
+106%
8
$89,550
Entry: $48K
+84%
9
$89,480
Entry: $56K
+58%
10
$88,280
Entry: $62K
+42%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level Physical Therapist Assistantss (10th percentile) earn approximately $47,371 per year, or $3,947 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $58,392. Based on 2025 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 $82,645 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $75,899. This represents a career premium of 74% 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 74%. Entry-level professionals start at $47,371, while senior-level can earn up to $82,645 — a difference of $35,274 per year.

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

The highest-paying state for senior Physical Therapist Assistantss is California, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $102,800 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) 2025 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.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. 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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