Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $39,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Colorado Springs, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,120 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Colorado Springs's local price level (BEA RPP 100.7 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,845 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,411) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapist assistant field in Colorado Springs can expect a starting salary around $39,120 in 2026. This is significantly below the median annual salary of $67,411 for all PTAs in the city, highlighting a substantial gap for entry-level professionals. Over the first three to five years, a typical career progression may see salaries rise to around $55,834 at the 25th percentile, with further potential to reach the median salary as experience and skills develop. Given a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, the market outlook suggests that Colorado Springs remains a viable place for new PTAs to establish their careers, with opportunities for advancement as they gain experience and expertise in their roles.
Career Earnings Timeline in Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Colorado Springs, CO typically start between $39,120 and $55,834 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $42,489 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,411 — 4.04% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Colorado of $22,000 represents just 56.24% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($39,120/year) in Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs
- 1Research the Colorado Springs market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $39,120 to $55,834, 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 CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Colorado Springs's moderate 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 Colorado Springs is $42,489 ( 108.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,120, experienced hygienists can earn up to $81,609.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,150
2025 BLS Actual
$38,080
2026 Current Est.
$39,120
2019–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,188 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Colorado Springs, CO grew 30.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,150 in 2019 to $38,080 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,188. New graduates entering the Colorado Springs job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs
Potential employers who actively recruit new physical therapist assistant graduates in Colorado Springs include large outpatient chains that are often the first entry point for freshly licensed professionals. Although skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to recruit despite recent reimbursement cuts, they may offer positions primarily to those with prior experience due to reduced compensation frameworks. To enhance their starting pay, graduates should focus on obtaining an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and securing state licensure. Additional credentials from the APTA can present significant advantages in a competitive job market. It is essential for new PTAs to strategically navigate their first few years, understanding the implications of the 15% Medicare Part B reimbursement cut that went into effect in 2022, which has impacted salaries in settings heavily reliant on Medicare. Realistically, entry-level salaries can grow steadily in the first three years as PTAs enhance their skills and secure mentorship under licensed physical therapists.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
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 Colorado Springs. 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