Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Coeur d'Alene, ID: $38,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Coeur d'Alene, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,760 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coeur d'Alene's local price level (BEA RPP 98.3 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,433 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,778) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
A starting physical therapist assistant salary in Coeur d'Alene presents new graduates with an entry point of approximately $38,760 in 2026, which is notably lower than the median salary of $62,778 for all PTAs in the area. Over the initial years, the trajectory for entry-level positions shows potential progression through the pay spectrum. Many new graduates will find themselves aiming for the 25th percentile wage of $59,522 as they gain experience, equipping them well to bridge that gap toward the median compensation. Currently, Coeur d'Alene is a feasible job market for freshly minted PTAs, especially given the city's comparatively low cost of living index, which stands at 98.293, just below the national average.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coeur d'Alene
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 Coeur d'Alene
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Coeur d'Alene, ID typically start between $38,760 and $59,522 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $38,041 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,778 — 10.63% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Idaho of $16,000 represents just 41.28% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($38,760/year) in Coeur d'Alene. 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 Coeur d'Alene
- 1Research the Coeur d'Alene market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $38,760 to $59,522, 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 Coeur d'Alene, 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 Coeur d'Alene for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coeur d'Alene'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 Coeur d'Alene is $38,041 ( 98.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,760, experienced hygienists can earn up to $76,801.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,860
2025 BLS Actual
$37,730
2026 Current Est.
$38,760
2019–2027 Growth
+82.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Coeur d'Alene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $21,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,818 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene, ID grew 72.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $21,860 in 2019 to $37,730 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,818. New graduates entering the Coeur d'Alene job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coeur d'Alene 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 Coeur d'Alene
In Coeur d'Alene, various employers actively recruit new graduates in physical therapy assistance. Outpatient clinics tend to hire the most entry-level graduates, while skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) still seek new talent despite prior reimbursement challenges. Home health agencies may prefer candidates with 1-2 years of clinical experience, making internships or part-time roles beneficial for recent graduates. To enhance their starting salaries, PTAs should ensure they possess an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the National Physical Therapy Assistant Exam (NPTAE), and secure their state licensure. Pursuing advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA may also present further opportunities for pay increases. Given the realities of working under PT supervision and the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for PTA services, new PTAs can realistically anticipate a gradual salary growth over the first three years, particularly if they secure positions in settings less affected by Medicare policy changes.
More salary data for Coeur d'Alene, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Coeur d'Alene in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Coeur d'Alene?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Coeur d'Alene?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Coeur d'Alene?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Idaho?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Idaho
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 Coeur d'Alene. 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