PT Assistant Salary

Eugene vs Medford: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Eugene, OR and Medford, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$62,593
$30.10/hr
Medford, OR
$78,424
$37.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORMedford, OR
Median Salary$62,593$78,424
Hourly Rate$30.10$37.70
Entry Level (P10)$58,803$61,001
25th Percentile$60,642$62,224
75th Percentile$80,653$84,434
Top Earner (P90)$84,413$84,434
Total Employed9050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($62,593) and Medford ($78,424) physical therapist assistant salaries.EugeneMedfordMedian Salary$62,593$78,424Entry Level (P10)$58,803$61,001Top Earner (P90)$84,413$84,434US Median $70,247

Verdict

Medford, OR offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Eugene.

The salary gap between Eugene and Medford is $15,831 (25.29%). Medford's median is +11.64% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $25,610,Medford spans $23,433. Eugene has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$58,803
P25$60,642
Median$62,593
P75$80,653
P90 (Top)$84,413
Medford
P10 (Entry)$61,001
P25$62,224
Median$78,424
P75$84,434
P90 (Top)$84,434

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Medford ($77,316 effective) pays 25.46% more than Eugene ($61,627 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $62,593
CoL Index: 101.568
Adjusted: $61,627
Medford
Nominal: $78,424
CoL Index: 101.433
Adjusted: $77,316

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Medford if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,424/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,434)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,316)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Eugene grew -2.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.9% growth in Medford over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+-2.7%

$62,600 (2019) → $60,930 (2025)

Medford, OR

+33.9%

$57,030 (2019) → $76,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Eugene or Medford?

Medford has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $78,424/year, compared to Eugene at $62,593/year — a difference of $15,831 (25.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and Medford?

Eugene physical therapist assistants earn $30.10/hr while Medford hygienists earn $37.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to Medford as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and Medford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $61,627, Medford = $77,316), job availability (90 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Eugene vs Medford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $58,803 in Eugene and $61,001 in Medford. The Medford 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