PT Assistant Salary

Biddeford vs Portland: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Biddeford, ME and Portland, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Biddeford, ME
$66,196
$31.83/hr
Portland, ME
$68,973
$33.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBiddeford, MEPortland, ME
Median Salary$66,196$68,973
Hourly Rate$31.83$33.16
Entry Level (P10)$47,350$62,213
25th Percentile$57,890$63,097
75th Percentile$73,216$75,959
Top Earner (P90)$79,974$79,852
Total Employed6150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Biddeford ($66,196) and Portland ($68,973) physical therapist assistant salaries.BiddefordPortlandMedian Salary$66,196$68,973Entry Level (P10)$47,350$62,213Top Earner (P90)$79,974$79,852US Median $70,247

Verdict

Portland, ME offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Biddeford.

The salary gap between Biddeford and Portland is $2,777 (4.20%). Portland's median is -1.81% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Biddeford spans $32,624,Portland spans $17,639. Biddeford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Biddeford
P10 (Entry)$47,350
P25$57,890
Median$66,196
P75$73,216
P90 (Top)$79,974
Portland
P10 (Entry)$62,213
P25$63,097
Median$68,973
P75$75,959
P90 (Top)$79,852

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($67,715 effective) pays 1.89% more than Biddeford ($66,462 effective).

Biddeford
Nominal: $66,196
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $66,462
Portland
Nominal: $68,973
CoL Index: 101.858
Adjusted: $67,715

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Biddeford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($79,974)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,973/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,715)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Biddeford grew 10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Portland over the same period.

Biddeford, ME

+10.3%

$58,425 (2024) → $64,437 (2025)

Portland, ME

+17.2%

$57,270 (2019) → $67,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Biddeford or Portland?

Portland has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $68,973/year, compared to Biddeford at $66,196/year — a difference of $2,777 (4.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Biddeford and Portland?

Biddeford physical therapist assistants earn $31.83/hr while Portland hygienists earn $33.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Biddeford to Portland as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Biddeford and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Biddeford = $66,462, Portland = $67,715), job availability (6 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Biddeford vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $47,350 in Biddeford and $62,213 in Portland. The Portland 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