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Physical Therapist Assistants Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Physical Therapist Assistants salary really buy you in Missouri?

Missouri is 8.9% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$63,770
Median annual (2025)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$70,000
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.1)

Missouri Cost of Living Index

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.1, meaning prices are 8.9% lower the national average. A Physical Therapist Assistants earning $63,770 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $70,000 in an average-cost US state.

MO: 91.1
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Missouri's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $50,460 $55,389 +$4,929
25th Percentile (P25) $58,540 $64,259 +$5,719
Median (P50) $63,770 $70,000 +$6,230
75th Percentile (P75) $73,940 $81,163 +$7,223
90th Percentile (P90) $79,000 $86,717 +$7,717
Key Insight

A Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri earns $63,770 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $70,000 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Missouri Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.1

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.1 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.9% less than the national average. For a Physical Therapist Assistants, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.8%

After applying Missouri's RPP, the $63,770 median salary translates to $70,000 in real terms — a 9.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Physical Therapist Assistants.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#22 / 51

Missouri sits at #22 of 51 states for Physical Therapist Assistants COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Physical Therapist Assistants (After Cost of Living)

Where does Physical Therapist Assistants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Texas
$80,000
RPP 97.5
2. Nevada
$78,340
RPP 96.4
$76,132
RPP 98.0
4. Alaska
$76,117
RPP 102.0
5. Georgia
$75,991
RPP 95.8
$75,320
RPP 93.6
$74,503
RPP 86.6
$73,971
RPP 105.0
$73,875
RPP 112.5
$72,632
RPP 109.4

Missouri ranks #22 out of 51 states for Physical Therapist Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Physical Therapist Assistants take-home pay in Missouri after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri after cost of living?

A Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri earns a median salary of $63,770 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $70,000 — a +9.8% difference.

Is Missouri expensive to live in?

Missouri's cost of living is 8.9% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Missouri is 91.1 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri: $63,770 x (100 / 91.1) = $70,000. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Physical Therapist Assistants in Missouri enjoys 9.8% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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