Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Leavenworth, KS: $43,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Leavenworth, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,196 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Leavenworth's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $47,520 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,446) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected starting physical therapist assistant salary in Leavenworth of $43,196 for 2026, new graduates can expect a competitive entry into the healthcare field. This figure represents a gap of approximately $19,250 below the city’s median annual salary of $62,446. Despite the difference, there is promise for financial growth as entry-level PTAs often experience a steady increase in earnings, moving from the 10th percentile ($43,196) to the 25th percentile ($53,888) within a few years of gaining employment. Overall, Leavenworth appears to represent a viable market for newly minted graduates, particularly when considering the area’s lower cost of living index of 90.9 compared to the national average.
About the Leavenworth Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Leavenworth
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 Leavenworth
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Leavenworth, KS typically start between $43,196 and $53,888 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $38,707 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,446 — 11.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Kansas of $13,000 represents just 30.10% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($43,196/year) in Leavenworth. 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 Leavenworth
- 1Research the Leavenworth market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $43,196 to $53,888, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Leavenworth'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 Leavenworth is $38,707 ( 89.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,196, experienced hygienists can earn up to $81,903.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,456
2025 BLS Actual
$42,048
2026 Current Est.
$43,196
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Leavenworth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,456 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,799 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,165 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,081 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,125 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,048 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,375 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Leavenworth, KS grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,456 in 2019 to $42,048 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $44,375. New graduates entering the Leavenworth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leavenworth 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 Leavenworth
Employers in Leavenworth typically hiring new graduates include outpatient therapy chains that tend to have robust programs for entry-level PTAs, as well as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) which continue to recruit despite recent reimbursement challenges. Home health agencies, while often seeking 1-2 years of clinical experience, do occasionally consider new graduates for their teams. To enhance starting pay in Kansas, candidates should ensure they obtain their Associate’s degree from a CAPTE-accredited institution, pass the NPTAE exam, and secure a state PTA license. Additionally, credentials like BLS certification and advanced proficiency through APTA can further boost earning potential. The economic landscape for PTAs has been affected by fee reductions in Medicare services, particularly since the 15% cut in 2022 for PTA-provided treatments, demanding a thoughtful career strategy focused on gaining experience within diverse practice settings during the initial years. Realistically, PTAs may expect to see salary increases over their first three years through continuous contributions to patient care and strong performance under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.
More salary data for Leavenworth, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Leavenworth in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Leavenworth?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Leavenworth?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Leavenworth?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Kansas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Leavenworth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leavenworth 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