PT Assistant Salary

Hagerstown vs Silver Spring: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Hagerstown, MD and Silver Spring, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hagerstown, MD
$67,781
$32.59/hr
Silver Spring, MD
$74,816
$35.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHagerstown, MDSilver Spring, MD
Median Salary$67,781$74,816
Hourly Rate$32.59$35.97
Entry Level (P10)$49,588$53,628
25th Percentile$60,313$65,928
75th Percentile$76,215$87,841
Top Earner (P90)$77,777$97,582
Total Employed12012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hagerstown ($67,781) and Silver Spring ($74,816) physical therapist assistant salaries.HagerstownSilver SpringMedian Salary$67,781$74,816Entry Level (P10)$49,588$53,628Top Earner (P90)$77,777$97,582US Median $70,247

Verdict

Silver Spring, MD offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between Hagerstown and Silver Spring is $7,035 (10.38%). Silver Spring's median is +6.50% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hagerstown spans $28,189,Silver Spring spans $43,954. Silver Spring has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$49,588
P25$60,313
Median$67,781
P75$76,215
P90 (Top)$77,777
Silver Spring
P10 (Entry)$53,628
P25$65,928
Median$74,816
P75$87,841
P90 (Top)$97,582

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hagerstown ($71,977 effective) pays 5.15% more than Silver Spring ($68,450 effective).

Hagerstown
Nominal: $67,781
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $71,977
Silver Spring
Nominal: $74,816
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $68,450

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,977)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Silver Spring if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,816/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,582)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Hagerstown grew 10.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.6% growth in Silver Spring over the same period.

Hagerstown, MD

+10.6%

$59,630 (2019) → $65,980 (2025)

Silver Spring, MD

+0.6%

$72,424 (2024) → $72,828 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Hagerstown or Silver Spring?

Silver Spring has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $74,816/year, compared to Hagerstown at $67,781/year — a difference of $7,035 (10.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hagerstown and Silver Spring?

Hagerstown physical therapist assistants earn $32.59/hr while Silver Spring hygienists earn $35.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hagerstown to Silver Spring as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hagerstown and Silver Spring. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hagerstown = $71,977, Silver Spring = $68,450), job availability (120 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Hagerstown vs Silver Spring?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $49,588 in Hagerstown and $53,628 in Silver Spring. The Silver Spring 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