PT Assistant Salary

Boston vs Brockton: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Boston, MA and Brockton, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$82,626
$39.73/hr
Brockton, MA
$79,408
$38.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MABrockton, MA
Median Salary$82,626$79,408
Hourly Rate$39.73$38.17
Entry Level (P10)$64,422$51,359
25th Percentile$72,209$70,636
75th Percentile$84,156$93,783
Top Earner (P90)$91,584$107,962
Total Employed1,86025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($82,626) and Brockton ($79,408) physical therapist assistant salaries.BostonBrocktonMedian Salary$82,626$79,408Entry Level (P10)$64,422$51,359Top Earner (P90)$91,584$107,962US Median $70,247

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brockton.

The salary gap between Boston and Brockton is $3,218 (4.05%). Boston's median is +17.62% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $27,162,Brockton spans $56,603. Brockton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$64,422
P25$72,209
Median$82,626
P75$84,156
P90 (Top)$91,584
Brockton
P10 (Entry)$51,359
P25$70,636
Median$79,408
P75$93,783
P90 (Top)$107,962

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($76,318 effective) pays 4.28% more than Brockton ($73,187 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $82,626
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $76,318
Brockton
Nominal: $79,408
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $73,187

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,626/year)
  • Larger job market (1,860 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,318)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Brockton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,962)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Boston grew 19.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.9% growth in Brockton over the same period.

Boston, MA

+19.4%

$67,340 (2019) → $80,430 (2025)

Brockton, MA

+-1.9%

$78,791 (2024) → $77,298 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Boston or Brockton?

Boston has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $82,626/year, compared to Brockton at $79,408/year — a difference of $3,218 (4.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Brockton?

Boston physical therapist assistants earn $39.73/hr while Brockton hygienists earn $38.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Brockton as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Brockton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $76,318, Brockton = $73,187), job availability (1,860 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Boston vs Brockton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $64,422 in Boston and $51,359 in Brockton. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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