PT Assistant Salary

Moses Lake vs Seattle: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Moses Lake, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moses Lake, WA
$66,211
$31.84/hr
Seattle, WA
$67,237
$32.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoses Lake, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$66,211$67,237
Hourly Rate$31.84$32.33
Entry Level (P10)$49,976$37,609
25th Percentile$60,066$37,609
75th Percentile$75,987$84,208
Top Earner (P90)$84,918$99,494
Total Employed41,120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moses Lake ($66,211) and Seattle ($67,237) physical therapist assistant salaries.Moses LakeSeattleMedian Salary$66,211$67,237Entry Level (P10)$49,976$37,609Top Earner (P90)$84,918$99,494US Median $70,247

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Moses Lake.

The salary gap between Moses Lake and Seattle is $1,026 (1.55%). Seattle's median is -4.28% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moses Lake spans $34,942,Seattle spans $61,885. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Moses Lake
P10 (Entry)$49,976
P25$60,066
Median$66,211
P75$75,987
P90 (Top)$84,918
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$37,609
P25$37,609
Median$67,237
P75$84,208
P90 (Top)$99,494

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Moses Lake ($61,649 effective) pays 1.90% more than Seattle ($60,501 effective).

Moses Lake
Nominal: $66,211
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $61,649
Seattle
Nominal: $67,237
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $60,501

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moses Lake if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,649)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,237/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,494)
  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Moses Lake grew -13.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.0% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Moses Lake, WA

+-13.6%

$74,597 (2024) → $64,451 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+5.0%

$62,310 (2019) → $65,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Moses Lake or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $67,237/year, compared to Moses Lake at $66,211/year — a difference of $1,026 (1.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moses Lake and Seattle?

Moses Lake physical therapist assistants earn $31.84/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $32.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moses Lake to Seattle as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moses Lake and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moses Lake = $61,649, Seattle = $60,501), job availability (4 vs 1,120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Moses Lake vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $49,976 in Moses Lake and $37,609 in Seattle. The Moses Lake 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