Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Little Rock, AR: $32,072 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Little Rock, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $32,072 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Little Rock's local price level (BEA RPP 89.4 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $35,889 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,860) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field as physical therapist assistants in Little Rock, Arkansas, can expect a starting salary around $32,072. This figure signifies a considerable gap compared to the city median annual salary of $65,860, highlighting the potential growth trajectory for early-career PTAs. Over the initial three to five years of practice, new graduates may progress from the lowest decile to reach salaries in the lower quartile, estimated at $35,688. With an annual growth rate of 2.73% projected for the profession, Little Rock presents an encouraging market for entry-level physical therapist assistants, allowing for professional development and salary advancement as they gain experience and skills.
Career Earnings Timeline in Little Rock
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Little Rock, AR typically start between $32,072 and $35,688 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $62,563 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,860 — 6.25% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Arkansas of $11,000 represents just 34.30% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($32,072/year) in Little Rock. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Little Rock
- 1Research the Little Rock market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $32,072 to $35,688, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Little Rock, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Little Rock for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Little Rock's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Little Rock is $62,563 ( 195.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $32,072, experienced hygienists can earn up to $94,635.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,620
2025 BLS Actual
$31,220
2026 Current Est.
$32,072
2019–2027 Growth
+7.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,072 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,948 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Little Rock, AR grew 2.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,620 in 2019 to $31,220 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $32,948. New graduates entering the Little Rock job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Little Rock
Employers in Little Rock actively seek new PTA graduates, particularly outpatient physical therapy clinics, which often hire fresh talent due to the high patient volume. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to recruit despite having faced Medicare reimbursement cuts, while home health agencies generally prefer candidates with some clinical experience. To enhance their starting pay in Arkansas, graduates should ensure they hold an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the NPTAE national exam, and secure a state PTA license. Obtaining advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA can further bolster their competitiveness. During the first few years, salary growth expectations depend on the practice setting, especially as PTAs work under physical therapist supervision per state laws and Medicare regulations, which can affect compensation structures in heavily Medicare-reliant environments.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Little Rock in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Little Rock?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Little Rock?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Little Rock?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Arkansas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Little Rock. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov