PT Assistant Salary

Dothan vs Huntsville: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Dothan, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dothan, AL
$57,683
$27.74/hr
Huntsville, AL
$62,532
$30.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDothan, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$57,683$62,532
Hourly Rate$27.74$30.06
Entry Level (P10)$50,348$53,502
25th Percentile$51,478$60,025
75th Percentile$65,470$76,030
Top Earner (P90)$73,873$82,379
Total Employed130260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dothan ($57,683) and Huntsville ($62,532) physical therapist assistant salaries.DothanHuntsvilleMedian Salary$57,683$62,532Entry Level (P10)$50,348$53,502Top Earner (P90)$73,873$82,379US Median $70,247

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dothan.

The salary gap between Dothan and Huntsville is $4,849 (8.41%). Huntsville's median is -10.98% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dothan spans $23,525,Huntsville spans $28,877. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Dothan
P10 (Entry)$50,348
P25$51,478
Median$57,683
P75$65,470
P90 (Top)$73,873
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$53,502
P25$60,025
Median$62,532
P75$76,030
P90 (Top)$82,379

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dothan ($68,807 effective) pays 2.41% more than Huntsville ($67,187 effective).

Dothan
Nominal: $57,683
CoL Index: 83.833
Adjusted: $68,807
Huntsville
Nominal: $62,532
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $67,187

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dothan if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,807)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,532/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,379)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Dothan grew 7.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.5% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Dothan, AL

+7.4%

$52,280 (2019) → $56,150 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+2.5%

$59,360 (2019) → $60,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Dothan or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $62,532/year, compared to Dothan at $57,683/year — a difference of $4,849 (8.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dothan and Huntsville?

Dothan physical therapist assistants earn $27.74/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $30.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dothan to Huntsville as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dothan and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dothan = $68,807, Huntsville = $67,187), job availability (130 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Dothan vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $50,348 in Dothan and $53,502 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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