Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Pine Bluff, AR: $43,892 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Pine Bluff, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,892 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pine Bluff's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,509 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,453) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pine Bluff, the starting physical therapist assistant salary for new graduates in 2026 is projected to be around $43,892 per year. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level roles, with a median annual salary in the city reaching $63,453. Consequently, new grads can expect a significant gap between their initial compensation and the median, with growth potential through experience. Over the first three to five years, entry-level PTAs may see their salaries rise as they reach more established pay brackets, potentially moving up to $54,608 for the 25th percentile, before reaching the city median. Given the competitive job market and the projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, Pine Bluff offers a viable opportunity for recent PTA graduates to establish their careers.
About the Pine Bluff Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pine Bluff
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 Pine Bluff
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Pine Bluff, AR typically start between $43,892 and $54,608 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $38,937 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,453 — 9.67% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Arkansas of $11,000 represents just 25.06% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($43,892/year) in Pine Bluff. 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 Pine Bluff
- 1Research the Pine Bluff market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $43,892 to $54,608, 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 Pine Bluff, 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 Pine Bluff for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pine Bluff'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 Pine Bluff is $38,937 ( 88.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,892, experienced hygienists can earn up to $82,829.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,931
2025 BLS Actual
$42,726
2026 Current Est.
$43,892
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,931 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,358 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,679 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,063 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,726 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,892 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,091 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Pine Bluff, AR grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,931 in 2019 to $42,726 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,091. New graduates entering the Pine Bluff job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff
In Pine Bluff, outpatient rehabilitation chains are among the primary employers looking to hire new physical therapist assistant graduates. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have continued to recruit despite recent Medicare reimbursement cuts, signaling some resilience in hiring, although many home health agencies lean towards candidates with 1-2 years of clinical experience. To boost starting pay, graduates should focus on completing a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and obtaining a state PTA license. Additional advanced proficiency credentials through APTA can also enhance earning potential. Given the 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA-provided services effective in 2022, newcomers should remain aware of industry challenges that may slow salary growth during the first few years, particularly in heavily Medicare-reliant settings. New graduates can realistically anticipate steady salary advancement, with dedicated focus on building skills and gaining clinical experience in their first years in the field.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Pine Bluff. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pine Bluff is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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