PT Assistant Salary

Atlantic City vs Edison: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Edison, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$75,445
$36.27/hr
Edison, NJ
$79,847
$38.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJEdison, NJ
Median Salary$75,445$79,847
Hourly Rate$36.27$38.39
Entry Level (P10)$64,042$55,190
25th Percentile$67,658$68,970
75th Percentile$79,349$94,092
Top Earner (P90)$83,026$107,790
Total Employed5020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($75,445) and Edison ($79,847) physical therapist assistant salaries.Atlantic CityEdisonMedian Salary$75,445$79,847Entry Level (P10)$64,042$55,190Top Earner (P90)$83,026$107,790US Median $70,247

Verdict

Edison, NJ offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Edison is $4,402 (5.83%). Edison's median is +13.67% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $18,984,Edison spans $52,600. Edison has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$64,042
P25$67,658
Median$75,445
P75$79,349
P90 (Top)$83,026
Edison
P10 (Entry)$55,190
P25$68,970
Median$79,847
P75$94,092
P90 (Top)$107,790

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($76,317 effective) pays 10.11% more than Edison ($69,312 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $75,445
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $76,317
Edison
Nominal: $79,847
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $69,312

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,317)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Edison if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,847/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,790)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Atlantic City grew 16.4% from 2020 to 2025, compared to -10.0% growth in Edison over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+16.4%

$63,100 (2020) → $73,440 (2025)

Edison, NJ

+-10.0%

$86,387 (2024) → $77,725 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Atlantic City or Edison?

Edison has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $79,847/year, compared to Atlantic City at $75,445/year — a difference of $4,402 (5.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Edison?

Atlantic City physical therapist assistants earn $36.27/hr while Edison hygienists earn $38.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Edison as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Edison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $76,317, Edison = $69,312), job availability (50 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Atlantic City vs Edison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $64,042 in Atlantic City and $55,190 in Edison. The Atlantic City area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov