Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Dracut, MA: $56,127 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Dracut, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,127 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dracut's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,730 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($75,414) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates considering a career as a physical therapist assistant, starting salaries in Dracut, MA, reflect both the potential rewards and the challenges ahead. In 2026, entry-level positions are projected to pay $56,127, which trails the city’s median annual salary of $75,414. This gap highlights the realistic expectations for newcomers entering the field. However, as new PTAs gain experience, they can anticipate growth in their earnings, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $67,769 and eventually aligning more closely with the median. With Dracut’s job environment currently conducive to physical therapist assistants, new graduates can find promising opportunities as they begin their careers.
About the Dracut Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dracut
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 Dracut
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Dracut, MA typically start between $56,127 and $67,769 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $39,565 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $75,414 — 7.36% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Massachusetts of $35,000 represents just 62.36% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($56,127/year) in Dracut. 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 Dracut
- 1Research the Dracut market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $56,127 to $67,769, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Dracut, 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 Dracut for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dracut's moderate 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 Dracut is $39,565 ( 70.49%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,127, experienced hygienists can earn up to $95,692.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,273
2025 BLS Actual
$54,635
2026 Current Est.
$56,127
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dracut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,273 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,719 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,589 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,182 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,013 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,635 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,127 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,659 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Dracut, MA grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $38,273 in 2019 to $54,635 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $57,659. New graduates entering the Dracut job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dracut 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 Dracut
Several healthcare facilities in Dracut actively recruit fresh graduates into physical therapist assistant roles, particularly outpatient clinics that tend to favor new talent. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to seek PTAs despite recent reimbursement cuts, while home health agencies generally look for candidates with 1-2 years of clinical experience. To enhance their starting physical therapist assistant salary in Dracut, new grads should hold an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the NPTAE national exam, and secure their state PTA license. Additionally, obtaining advanced proficiency credentials through APTA can increase earning potential. In the first few years of practice, salary growth can be modest, especially due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts impacting PTAs working in Medicare-heavy settings. Therefore, forming a strong foundational skill set early on will be essential for a sustainable and upwardly mobile career in physical therapy.
More salary data for Dracut, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Dracut in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Dracut?
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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 Dracut. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dracut 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