PT Assistant Salary

St. Louis vs Wentzville: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between St. Louis, MO and Wentzville, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

St. Louis, MO
$67,617
$32.51/hr
Wentzville, MO
$60,276
$28.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOWentzville, MO
Median Salary$67,617$60,276
Hourly Rate$32.51$28.98
Entry Level (P10)$54,519$44,414
25th Percentile$62,799$52,497
75th Percentile$76,719$68,309
Top Earner (P90)$81,568$76,109
Total Employed1,10010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($67,617) and Wentzville ($60,276) physical therapist assistant salaries.St. LouisWentzvilleMedian Salary$67,617$60,276Entry Level (P10)$54,519$44,414Top Earner (P90)$81,568$76,109US Median $70,247

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wentzville.

The salary gap between St. Louis and Wentzville is $7,341 (12.18%). St. Louis's median is -3.74% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $27,049,Wentzville spans $31,695. Wentzville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$54,519
P25$62,799
Median$67,617
P75$76,719
P90 (Top)$81,568
Wentzville
P10 (Entry)$44,414
P25$52,497
Median$60,276
P75$68,309
P90 (Top)$76,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($71,110 effective) pays 5.70% more than Wentzville ($67,272 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $67,617
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $71,110
Wentzville
Nominal: $60,276
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $67,272

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,617/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,568)
  • Larger job market (1,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,110)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Wentzville if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in St. Louis grew 27.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.5% growth in Wentzville over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+27.3%

$51,720 (2019) → $65,820 (2025)

Wentzville, MO

+14.5%

$51,261 (2024) → $58,674 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: St. Louis or Wentzville?

St. Louis has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $67,617/year, compared to Wentzville at $60,276/year — a difference of $7,341 (12.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Louis and Wentzville?

St. Louis physical therapist assistants earn $32.51/hr while Wentzville hygienists earn $28.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Louis to Wentzville as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Wentzville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $71,110, Wentzville = $67,272), job availability (1,100 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in St. Louis vs Wentzville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $54,519 in St. Louis and $44,414 in Wentzville. The St. Louis 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