PT Assistant Salary

Sayreville vs Trenton: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Sayreville, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sayreville, NJ
$78,632
$37.80/hr
Trenton, NJ
$77,469
$37.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSayreville, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$78,632$77,469
Hourly Rate$37.80$37.24
Entry Level (P10)$53,883$35,740
25th Percentile$70,277$50,995
75th Percentile$90,970$81,403
Top Earner (P90)$101,946$84,465
Total Employed980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sayreville ($78,632) and Trenton ($77,469) physical therapist assistant salaries.SayrevilleTrentonMedian Salary$78,632$77,469Entry Level (P10)$53,883$35,740Top Earner (P90)$101,946$84,465US Median $70,247

Verdict

Sayreville, NJ offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Sayreville and Trenton is $1,163 (1.50%). Sayreville's median is +11.94% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sayreville spans $48,063,Trenton spans $48,725. Trenton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Sayreville
P10 (Entry)$53,883
P25$70,277
Median$78,632
P75$90,970
P90 (Top)$101,946
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$35,740
P25$50,995
Median$77,469
P75$81,403
P90 (Top)$84,465

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($75,081 effective) pays 10.00% more than Sayreville ($68,257 effective).

Sayreville
Nominal: $78,632
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $68,257
Trenton
Nominal: $77,469
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $75,081

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sayreville if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,632/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,946)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,081)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Sayreville grew -10.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.4% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Sayreville, NJ

+-10.0%

$85,072 (2024) → $76,542 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+13.4%

$66,490 (2021) → $75,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Sayreville or Trenton?

Sayreville has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $78,632/year, compared to Trenton at $77,469/year — a difference of $1,163 (1.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sayreville and Trenton?

Sayreville physical therapist assistants earn $37.80/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $37.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sayreville to Trenton as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sayreville and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sayreville = $68,257, Trenton = $75,081), job availability (9 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Sayreville vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $53,883 in Sayreville and $35,740 in Trenton. The Sayreville 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