Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wichita, KS: $53,574 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Wichita, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,574 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wichita's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,232 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,617) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For aspiring physical therapist assistants, the starting physical therapist assistant salary in Wichita, KS, is projected to be around $53,574 in 2026. This entry-level figure sits notably below the city's median annual salary of $64,617 for the profession, creating a gap that new graduates should keep in mind as they embark on their careers. Over the first few years, there is potential for growth, as many new PTAs can expect to gradually advance from the $60,857 mark at the 25th percentile towards the median. Given the anticipated annual growth rate of 2.73% for this field, Wichita presents a relatively stable job market for recent graduates, allowing them to build experience and skill while working toward higher pay grades in a supportive community.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wichita
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 Wichita
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Wichita, KS typically start between $53,574 and $60,857 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,703 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,617 — 8.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Kansas of $13,000 represents just 24.27% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($53,574/year) in Wichita. 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 Wichita
- 1Research the Wichita market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $53,574 to $60,857, 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 Wichita, 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 Wichita for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wichita'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 Wichita is $25,703 ( 47.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,574, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,277.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,440
2025 BLS Actual
$52,150
2026 Current Est.
$53,574
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,574 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,036 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Wichita, KS grew 22.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,440 in 2019 to $52,150 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,036. New graduates entering the Wichita job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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 Wichita
In Wichita, many employers that are inclined to hire new graduates include outpatient therapy clinics, which often rank as the primary venues for entry-level positions. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to recruit new PTAs despite changes in reimbursement processes, although home health agencies typically prefer candidates with one to two years of experience. For new PTAs, holding an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, along with passing the NPTAE and obtaining state licensure, is essential to entering the field. Additional certifications from APTA can also significantly enhance a candidate's job prospects and starting pay in Kansas. Understanding the dynamics of the workplace is vital, especially considering that pay can be more compressed in SNFs due to Medicare reimbursement changes, impacting salaries in settings heavily reliant on these funds. Realistically, most new graduates can expect to see gradual salary increases as they develop their skills and establish their reputations within local healthcare teams.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Wichita in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Wichita?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Wichita?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Wichita?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Kansas?
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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 Wichita. 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