Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Texarkana, AR: $56,286 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Texarkana, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,286 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Texarkana's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,771 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($74,936) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Texarkana, the starting physical therapist assistant salary for newly graduated PTAs in 2026 is projected at $56,286, a figure that reflects the early career phase. When viewed against the city's median salary of $74,936, there's a noticeable gap that new entrants should anticipate as they begin their careers. Over the first few years, fresh graduates can expect their compensation to grow from this entry-level range, achieving around $67,720 at the 25th percentile. This growth trajectory demonstrates a promising outlook for newcomers in the field, especially in a market like Texarkana, where the demand for physical therapists and assistants remains stable. Overall, the combination of a modest starting salary and a healthy growth rate creates a favorable environment for new physical therapist assistants entering the profession.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Texarkana
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 Texarkana
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Texarkana, AR typically start between $56,286 and $67,720 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $39,591 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $74,936 — 6.68% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Arkansas of $11,000 represents just 19.54% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($56,286/year) in Texarkana. 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 Texarkana
- 1Research the Texarkana market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $56,286 to $67,720, 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 Texarkana, 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 Texarkana for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Texarkana'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 Texarkana is $39,591 ( 70.34%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,286, experienced hygienists can earn up to $95,877.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,382
2025 BLS Actual
$54,790
2026 Current Est.
$56,286
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,382 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,829 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,318 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,361 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,286 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,822 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Texarkana, AR grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $38,382 in 2019 to $54,790 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $57,822. New graduates entering the Texarkana job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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 Texarkana
Employers in Texarkana, AR, typically favor outpatient rehabilitation clinics for hiring new grads, as these establishments actively seek candidates from CAPTE-accredited PTA programs. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to provide opportunities despite recent reimbursement cuts, though they may prefer more experienced PTAs due to the financial pressures stemming from the 15% Medicare reduction in reimbursement for PTA services. For ambitious new graduates, obtaining relevant credentials is crucial; candidates should complete the NPTAE national exam and secure a state PTA license, while also considering advanced proficiency credentials from the APTA. In the competitive landscape of jobs during the first few years, new hires should aim for growth mindedness and be flexible, as early-career salaries can vary greatly in response to the aforementioned market dynamics. As many PTAs work under the direct supervision of licensed physical therapists, understanding the dynamics of the profession can help new graduates navigate their careers more effectively, especially as they work towards better-paying positions and potential transition pathways to DPT programs.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Texarkana in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Texarkana?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Texarkana?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Texarkana?
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 Texarkana. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Texarkana 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