PT Assistant Salary

Coeur d'Alene vs Pocatello: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Pocatello, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coeur d'Alene, ID
$62,778
$30.18/hr
Pocatello, ID
$59,450
$28.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoeur d'Alene, IDPocatello, ID
Median Salary$62,778$59,450
Hourly Rate$30.18$28.58
Entry Level (P10)$38,760$29,011
25th Percentile$59,522$53,091
75th Percentile$68,500$63,590
Top Earner (P90)$76,801$72,579
Total Employed8060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coeur d'Alene ($62,778) and Pocatello ($59,450) physical therapist assistant salaries.Coeur d'AlenePocatelloMedian Salary$62,778$59,450Entry Level (P10)$38,760$29,011Top Earner (P90)$76,801$72,579US Median $70,247

Verdict

Coeur d'Alene, ID offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pocatello.

The salary gap between Coeur d'Alene and Pocatello is $3,328 (5.60%). Coeur d'Alene's median is -10.63% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene spans $38,041,Pocatello spans $43,568. Pocatello has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Coeur d'Alene
P10 (Entry)$38,760
P25$59,522
Median$62,778
P75$68,500
P90 (Top)$76,801
Pocatello
P10 (Entry)$29,011
P25$53,091
Median$59,450
P75$63,590
P90 (Top)$72,579

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pocatello ($66,868 effective) pays 4.70% more than Coeur d'Alene ($63,868 effective).

Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $62,778
CoL Index: 98.293
Adjusted: $63,868
Pocatello
Nominal: $59,450
CoL Index: 88.906
Adjusted: $66,868

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coeur d'Alene if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,778/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($76,801)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Pocatello if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,868)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Coeur d'Alene grew 11.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.7% growth in Pocatello over the same period.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+11.7%

$54,720 (2019) → $61,110 (2025)

Pocatello, ID

+-5.7%

$61,370 (2019) → $57,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Coeur d'Alene or Pocatello?

Coeur d'Alene has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $62,778/year, compared to Pocatello at $59,450/year — a difference of $3,328 (5.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coeur d'Alene and Pocatello?

Coeur d'Alene physical therapist assistants earn $30.18/hr while Pocatello hygienists earn $28.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coeur d'Alene to Pocatello as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coeur d'Alene and Pocatello. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coeur d'Alene = $63,868, Pocatello = $66,868), job availability (80 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Coeur d'Alene vs Pocatello?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $38,760 in Coeur d'Alene and $29,011 in Pocatello. The Coeur d'Alene 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