PT Assistant Salary

Roseburg vs Salem: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Roseburg, OR
$64,960
$31.23/hr
Salem, OR
$68,922
$33.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoseburg, ORSalem, OR
Median Salary$64,960$68,922
Hourly Rate$31.23$33.14
Entry Level (P10)$45,971$54,303
25th Percentile$60,534$62,224
75th Percentile$74,007$79,914
Top Earner (P90)$81,734$85,430
Total Employed6130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roseburg ($64,960) and Salem ($68,922) physical therapist assistant salaries.RoseburgSalemMedian Salary$64,960$68,922Entry Level (P10)$45,971$54,303Top Earner (P90)$81,734$85,430US Median $70,247

Verdict

Salem, OR offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Roseburg.

The salary gap between Roseburg and Salem is $3,962 (6.10%). Salem's median is -1.89% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roseburg spans $35,763,Salem spans $31,127. Roseburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Roseburg
P10 (Entry)$45,971
P25$60,534
Median$64,960
P75$74,007
P90 (Top)$81,734
Salem
P10 (Entry)$54,303
P25$62,224
Median$68,922
P75$79,914
P90 (Top)$85,430

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($66,496 effective) pays 5.03% more than Roseburg ($63,314 effective).

Roseburg
Nominal: $64,960
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $63,314
Salem
Nominal: $68,922
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $66,496

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roseburg if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,922/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,430)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,496)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Roseburg grew -6.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Salem over the same period.

Roseburg, OR

+-6.6%

$67,692 (2024) → $63,234 (2025)

Salem, OR

+20.4%

$55,730 (2019) → $67,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Roseburg or Salem?

Salem has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $68,922/year, compared to Roseburg at $64,960/year — a difference of $3,962 (6.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roseburg and Salem?

Roseburg physical therapist assistants earn $31.23/hr while Salem hygienists earn $33.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roseburg to Salem as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roseburg and Salem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roseburg = $63,314, Salem = $66,496), job availability (6 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Roseburg vs Salem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $45,971 in Roseburg and $54,303 in Salem. The Salem 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