Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Manhattan, KS: $53,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Manhattan, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,974 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Manhattan's local price level (BEA RPP 90.2 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,863 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,854) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Manhattan, Kansas, is projected to start at around $53,974, a figure that realistically reflects the early career stage of new graduates in this field. This starting pay is notably below the city’s median salary of $61,854, highlighting a common gap for those just entering the workforce. As new PTAs gain experience, they can anticipate their compensation to grow from the 25th percentile figure of $59,820 towards the median as they move through their initial three to five years. The job market in Manhattan presently shows potential for new graduates, buoyed by a projected annual growth rate of 2.73% in this sector, signaling the need for fresh talent in healthcare services.
Career Earnings Timeline in Manhattan
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 Manhattan
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Manhattan, KS typically start between $53,974 and $59,820 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $29,104 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,854 — 11.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Kansas of $13,000 represents just 24.09% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($53,974/year) in Manhattan. 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 Manhattan
- 1Research the Manhattan market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $53,974 to $59,820, 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 Manhattan, 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 Manhattan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Manhattan'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 Manhattan is $29,104 ( 53.92%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,974, experienced hygienists can earn up to $83,078.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,806
2025 BLS Actual
$52,540
2026 Current Est.
$53,974
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,235 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,448 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Manhattan, KS grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,806 in 2019 to $52,540 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,448. New graduates entering the Manhattan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manhattan 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 Manhattan
Manhattan provides various employment opportunities for new physical therapist assistants, primarily through outpatient chains that are actively seeking recent graduates. While skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) may still recruit despite financial pressures due to CMS cuts in Medicare reimbursements, they often prefer candidates with some clinic experience. To enhance starting physical therapist assistant pay in Kansas, new grads should focus on earning their state PTA license and passing the NPTAE national exam, complemented by continuing education through the APTA for advanced proficiency credentials. Within the first few years of practice, it’s crucial for PTAs to be aware of their work under PT supervision, as dictated by state law and Medicare regulations. Given the reimbursement cuts affecting many facilities, realistic salary growth can be anticipated, but it may take time for new professionals to reach a significant increase in their annual earnings.
More salary data for Manhattan, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Manhattan in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Manhattan?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Manhattan?
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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 Manhattan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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