PT Assistant Salary

Lynchburg vs Reston: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Lynchburg, VA and Reston, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lynchburg, VA
$77,479
$37.25/hr
Reston, VA
$73,945
$35.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLynchburg, VAReston, VA
Median Salary$77,479$73,945
Hourly Rate$37.25$35.55
Entry Level (P10)$58,412$53,421
25th Percentile$65,285$65,473
75th Percentile$82,328$85,626
Top Earner (P90)$102,566$96,777
Total Employed15016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lynchburg ($77,479) and Reston ($73,945) physical therapist assistant salaries.LynchburgRestonMedian Salary$77,479$73,945Entry Level (P10)$58,412$53,421Top Earner (P90)$102,566$96,777US Median $70,247

Verdict

Lynchburg, VA offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Reston.

The salary gap between Lynchburg and Reston is $3,534 (4.78%). Lynchburg's median is +10.30% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lynchburg spans $44,154,Reston spans $43,356. Lynchburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lynchburg
P10 (Entry)$58,412
P25$65,285
Median$77,479
P75$82,328
P90 (Top)$102,566
Reston
P10 (Entry)$53,421
P25$65,473
Median$73,945
P75$85,626
P90 (Top)$96,777

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lynchburg ($86,701 effective) pays 21.00% more than Reston ($71,652 effective).

Lynchburg
Nominal: $77,479
CoL Index: 89.363
Adjusted: $86,701
Reston
Nominal: $73,945
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $71,652

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lynchburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,479/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,566)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,701)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Reston if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Lynchburg grew 7.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.1% growth in Reston over the same period.

Lynchburg, VA

+7.4%

$70,240 (2019) → $75,420 (2025)

Reston, VA

+8.1%

$66,608 (2024) → $71,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Lynchburg or Reston?

Lynchburg has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $77,479/year, compared to Reston at $73,945/year — a difference of $3,534 (4.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lynchburg and Reston?

Lynchburg physical therapist assistants earn $37.25/hr while Reston hygienists earn $35.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lynchburg to Reston as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lynchburg and Reston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lynchburg = $86,701, Reston = $71,652), job availability (150 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Lynchburg vs Reston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $58,412 in Lynchburg and $53,421 in Reston. The Lynchburg 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