Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Monroe, LA: $23,279 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Monroe, LA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $23,279 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Monroe's local price level (BEA RPP 83.6 — 16% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $27,847 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($66,004) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Monroe, Louisiana, is set to start at approximately $23,279. New graduates entering this field will likely find this figure considerably lower than the city median annual pay of $66,004. The salary growth trajectory shows a promising progression, as professionals can expect to increase their earnings as they gain experience—from the lower end of starting salaries to around $51,838 within the first few years. Given this outlook and the forecasted 2.73% annual growth rate over the next five years, Monroe presents a viable market for recent graduates seeking their first job in physical therapy assistance.
Career Earnings Timeline in Monroe
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 Monroe
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Monroe, LA typically start between $23,279 and $51,838 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,223 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $66,004 — 6.04% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Louisiana of $13,000 represents just 55.84% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($23,279/year) in Monroe. 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 Monroe
- 1Research the Monroe market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $23,279 to $51,838, 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 Monroe, 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 Monroe for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Monroe'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 Monroe is $59,223 ( 254.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $23,279, experienced hygienists can earn up to $82,502.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,350
2025 BLS Actual
$22,660
2026 Current Est.
$23,279
2019–2027 Growth
+-21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $21,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $20,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,279 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,914 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Monroe, LA grew -25.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,350 in 2019 to $22,660 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $23,914. New graduates entering the Monroe job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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 Monroe
Job opportunities for new grads in Monroe predominantly come from outpatient facilities, which hire the majority of entry-level physical therapist assistants. Skilled nursing facilities continue to recruit despite the ongoing impact of reimbursement cuts on their operations, while home health agencies often prefer applicants with some clinical background, specifically seeking candidates with one to two years of experience. To enhance starting pay, new PTAs should focus on obtaining their Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and acquiring a state PTA license. Continuing education and advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA can also help elevate their positions. Realistic salary expectations for the first three years in this market suggest steady growth, although recent cuts to Medicare reimbursement may limit pay increases in Medicare-reliant environments. New entrants should remain aware of these industry dynamics as they build their careers.
More salary data for Monroe, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Monroe in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Monroe?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Monroe?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Monroe?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Louisiana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Monroe. 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