Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Springfield, MA: $60,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Springfield, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,323 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Springfield's local price level (BEA RPP 96.1 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $62,797 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($75,948) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Entering the workforce as a physical therapist assistant in Springfield, Massachusetts, presents promising prospects for new graduates in 2026. The starting physical therapist assistant salary in Springfield is projected at $60,323, which is notably lower than the city's median salary of $75,948. However, graduates can expect upward movement through their early career; as they gain experience, salaries can rise to the 25th percentile, which is estimated at $65,151. With a growth trajectory of 2.73% annually, this field appears to offer a viable path for new PTAs seeking to establish themselves in the profession. Given the burgeoning healthcare needs in Springfield, this city provides ample opportunity for new grad physical therapist assistant pay MA in the early stages of their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Springfield
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 Springfield
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Springfield, MA typically start between $60,323 and $65,151 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,238 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $75,948 — 8.12% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Massachusetts of $35,000 represents just 58.02% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($60,323/year) in Springfield. 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 Springfield
- 1Research the Springfield market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $60,323 to $65,151, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Springfield'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 Springfield is $20,238 ( 33.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,323, experienced hygienists can earn up to $80,561.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,380
2025 BLS Actual
$58,720
2026 Current Est.
$60,323
2019–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,970 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Springfield, MA grew 38.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,380 in 2019 to $58,720 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,970. New graduates entering the Springfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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 Springfield
In Springfield, various healthcare employers are actively seeking to hire new graduates as physical therapist assistants. Outpatient clinics are particularly notable for hiring entry-level candidates, while skilled nursing facilities continue to recruit, despite recent challenges due to reimbursement cuts. New PTAs should emphasize acquiring a CAPTE-accredited associate's degree, passing the NPTAE exam, obtaining their state license, and possibly pursuing advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA. This foundation not only enhances employability but can also lead to better starting salaries. It's essential for new graduates to consider that PTAs operate under the supervision of physical therapists according to state laws, bearing in mind that recent Medicare reimbursement cuts for PTA services might affect pay in heavily Medicare-dependent settings. Realistic salary growth in the first few years may see PTAs earning closer to the national averages as they gain clinical experience and familiarize themselves with the healthcare landscape in Springfield.
More salary data for Springfield, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Springfield in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Springfield?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Springfield?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Springfield?
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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 Springfield. 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