Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Pueblo, CO: $48,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Pueblo, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $48,571 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pueblo's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,931 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,771) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the physical therapy field in Pueblo, Colorado, the starting physical therapist assistant salary in 2026 is projected at $48,571. New graduates may find this initial pay to be considerably lower than the city median salary for this position, which is set at $67,771, highlighting a significant gap that entry-level professionals must bridge. However, with time and experience, there is a growth trajectory that many can expect. As early-career PTAs advance from the P10 level into the P25 range of $56,625 within the first three to five years, they will likely improve their earning potential. This overall upward trend and the city's lower-than-average cost of living index of 91.762 make Pueblo a reasonable market for new physical therapy assistants hoping to establish their careers without incurring excessive living expenses.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pueblo
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 Pueblo
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Pueblo, CO typically start between $48,571 and $56,625 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,286 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,771 — 3.52% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Colorado of $22,000 represents just 45.29% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($48,571/year) in Pueblo. 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 Pueblo
- 1Research the Pueblo market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $48,571 to $56,625, 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 Pueblo, 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 Pueblo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pueblo'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 Pueblo is $50,286 ( 103.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $48,571, experienced hygienists can earn up to $98,857.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,450
2025 BLS Actual
$47,280
2026 Current Est.
$48,571
2019–2027 Growth
+69.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,897 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Pueblo, CO grew 60.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,450 in 2019 to $47,280 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,897. New graduates entering the Pueblo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pueblo 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 Pueblo
In Pueblo, various types of employers actively seek to hire new graduates in this profession. Outpatient therapy centers remain the primary venues for entry-level job placements. Additionally, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to recruit despite recent reimbursement cuts impacting finances. However, opportunities with home health agencies typically favor candidates with some clinic experience. As for credentials, graduating from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program and passing the NPTAE national exam is crucial, while maintaining a state PTA license and BLS certification are mandatory. Although newly licensed PTAs may initially experience salary compression due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut effective in 2022 impacting SNF settings, pursuing additional advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA can also lead to increased pay. Realistic salary growth expectations over the first few years can align well with the steady 2.73% annual increase observed in the profession, making it vital for new grads to cultivate career strategies that include gaining varied experiences under PT supervision to enhance their career trajectories.
More salary data for Pueblo, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Pueblo in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Pueblo?
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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 Pueblo. 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