Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Boise City, ID: $53,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Boise City, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,738 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Boise City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.4 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,617 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,025) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the physical therapist assistant field in Boise City, ID, the starting physical therapist assistant salary is projected at $53,738 in 2026. This entry-level figure creates a noticeable gap when compared to the city's median annual salary of $63,025, suggesting that new graduates should set realistic expectations as they begin their careers. Fortunately, early-career progression is encouraging. With experience, entry-level salaries can grow to around $62,049 within the first few years, potentially reaching the median as PTAs continue to gain expertise. Given the estimated 2.73% annual growth rate for this profession, Boise City presents a favorable market for new grads eager to launch their careers in a healthy job climate.
Career Earnings Timeline in Boise City
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 Boise City
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Boise City, ID typically start between $53,738 and $62,049 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,100 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,025 — 10.28% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Idaho of $16,000 represents just 29.77% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($53,738/year) in Boise City. 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 Boise City
- 1Research the Boise City market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $53,738 to $62,049, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Boise City, 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 Boise City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Boise City'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 Boise City is $27,100 ( 50.43%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,738, experienced hygienists can earn up to $80,838.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,130
2025 BLS Actual
$52,310
2026 Current Est.
$53,738
2019–2027 Growth
+138.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Boise City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $21,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,205 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Boise City, ID grew 126.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,130 in 2019 to $52,310 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,205. New graduates entering the Boise City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise City 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 Boise City
In Boise City, numerous employers actively seek new graduates, making it an enticing market for fresh entrants. Outpatient rehabilitation centers are particularly inclined to hire recent graduates, offering opportunities that align well with their training. While skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are facing reimbursement challenges due to significant cuts in Medicare funding, they still employ entry-level PTAs. It's essential for new practitioners to hold an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, pass the NPTAE, obtain a state PTA license, and possibly pursue advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA, as this can enhance starting pay. Considering the industry's nuances, such as PTAs needing to work under the supervision of physical therapists, new grads can anticipate gradual salary increases in their first few years if they take advantage of networking, furthering their education, and exploring diverse employment settings in Boise City while adapting to ongoing changes in reimbursement policies.
More salary data for Boise City, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Boise City in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Boise City?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Boise City?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Boise City?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Idaho?
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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 Boise City. 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