PT Assistant Salary

Mobile vs Vestavia Hills: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Mobile, AL
$63,107
$30.34/hr
Vestavia Hills, AL
$60,585
$29.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALVestavia Hills, AL
Median Salary$63,107$60,585
Hourly Rate$30.34$29.12
Entry Level (P10)$53,461$43,492
25th Percentile$56,728$53,262
75th Percentile$73,986$69,141
Top Earner (P90)$80,335$77,289
Total Employed2108
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($63,107) and Vestavia Hills ($60,585) physical therapist assistant salaries.MobileVestavia HillsMedian Salary$63,107$60,585Entry Level (P10)$53,461$43,492Top Earner (P90)$80,335$77,289US Median $70,247

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Vestavia Hills.

The salary gap between Mobile and Vestavia Hills is $2,522 (4.16%). Mobile's median is -10.16% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mobile spans $26,874,Vestavia Hills spans $33,797. Vestavia Hills has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Mobile
P10 (Entry)$53,461
P25$56,728
Median$63,107
P75$73,986
P90 (Top)$80,335
Vestavia Hills
P10 (Entry)$43,492
P25$53,262
Median$60,585
P75$69,141
P90 (Top)$77,289

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($71,633 effective) pays 3.93% more than Vestavia Hills ($68,925 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $63,107
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $71,633
Vestavia Hills
Nominal: $60,585
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $68,925

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,107/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,335)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,633)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Vestavia Hills if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Mobile grew 4.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Vestavia Hills over the same period.

Mobile, AL

+4.1%

$59,020 (2019) → $61,430 (2025)

Vestavia Hills, AL

+24.8%

$47,256 (2024) → $58,975 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Mobile or Vestavia Hills?

Mobile has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $63,107/year, compared to Vestavia Hills at $60,585/year — a difference of $2,522 (4.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Vestavia Hills?

Mobile physical therapist assistants earn $30.34/hr while Vestavia Hills hygienists earn $29.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mobile to Vestavia Hills as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Vestavia Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $71,633, Vestavia Hills = $68,925), job availability (210 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Mobile vs Vestavia Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $53,461 in Mobile and $43,492 in Vestavia Hills. The Mobile 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