Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Houma, LA: $27,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Houma, LA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $27,943 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Houma's local price level (BEA RPP 85.1 — 15% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $32,834 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,268) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates in Houma, Louisiana entering the physical therapist assistant field can expect a starting salary as low as $27,943. Although this entry-level pay reflects the difficulties often faced by recent PT graduates, it provides a foundational base for future financial progression. The median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in the city is projected to be $67,268, which means new professionals are beginning their career over $39,000 behind the city median. However, as career growth occurs, there is a clearly defined path that takes new PTAs from that entry-level mark toward salaries nearing the median. Additionally, with a 2.73% annual growth rate, the Houma job market appears to be conducive for new PTAs, making it a considerably viable option for those just beginning their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Houma
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 Houma
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Houma, LA typically start between $27,943 and $63,210 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,995 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,268 — 4.24% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Louisiana of $13,000 represents just 46.52% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($27,943/year) in Houma. 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 Houma
- 1Research the Houma market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $27,943 to $63,210, 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 LA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Houma, 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 Houma for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Houma'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 Houma is $50,995 ( 182.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $27,943, experienced hygienists can earn up to $78,938.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$22,740
2025 BLS Actual
$27,200
2026 Current Est.
$27,943
2019–2027 Growth
+26.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $23,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $23,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $21,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,705 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Houma, LA grew 19.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,740 in 2019 to $27,200 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $28,705. New graduates entering the Houma job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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 Houma
Employers in Houma looking for fresh talent primarily include outpatient clinics, which often recruit recent graduates eager to gain valuable experience. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) remain key players in hiring new PTAs, despite their challenges stemming from reimbursement cuts to Medicare. These environments continue to provide opportunities even to those without prior experience, unlike home health agencies, which generally prefer candidates with 1-2 years of clinic experience. To enhance their entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Houma, fresh graduates would benefit from completing an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and securing their state PTA license. Engaging in continuing education can further increase earning potential, particularly through advanced proficiency credentials offered by the APTA. Realistically, new PTAs can anticipate steady salary growth in the initial years, gradually approaching the median salary as they gain experience and adapt to industry regulations that govern their role under PT supervision.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Houma in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Houma?
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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 Houma. 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