Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Pearl, MS: $42,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Pearl, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $42,524 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pearl's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $49,620 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($59,632) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the physical therapist assistant (PTA) field in Pearl, Mississippi, can expect to start their careers with an annual salary around $42,524 in 2026. This entry-level pay is significantly lower than the city’s median salary of $59,632, indicating that new grads may need to adjust their financial expectations as they embark on their professional journey. However, there's potential for growth in the years following their initial roles; PTAs typically see salary increases as they gain experience and move from entry-level positions into higher earning brackets, such as the $52,401 mark at the 25th percentile. Given that Pearl’s market is currently seeing a 2.73% annual growth rate in the PTA sector, it remains an appealing location for fresh graduates.
About the Pearl Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pearl
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 Pearl
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Pearl, MS typically start between $42,524 and $52,401 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $31,402 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $59,632 — 15.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Mississippi of $11,000 represents just 25.87% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($42,524/year) in Pearl. 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 Pearl
- 1Research the Pearl market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $42,524 to $52,401, 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 MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pearl, 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 Pearl for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pearl'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 Pearl is $31,402 ( 73.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $42,524, experienced hygienists can earn up to $73,926.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,997
2025 BLS Actual
$41,394
2026 Current Est.
$42,524
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Pearl (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,997 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,336 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,318 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,394 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,685 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Pearl, MS grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,997 in 2019 to $41,394 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,685. New graduates entering the Pearl job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl 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 Pearl
In Pearl, various employers actively seek out newly minted PTAs, particularly in outpatient rehabilitation settings where there’s a steady demand for entry-level staff. While skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) still hire new graduates, recent reimbursement cuts from Medicare may have impacted hiring trends, leading some agencies to favor those with a year or two of experience. To enhance their employability and potential starting pay in Mississippi, new PTAs should focus on obtaining an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and acquiring a state PTA license along with basic life support (BLS) certification. Continuing education through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) can also provide additional certifications that may improve salary prospects. Realistically, first-year salaries for newly employed PTAs in Pearl may remain close to their starting figures but can grow steadily with experience and job performance in the following years.
More salary data for Pearl, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Pearl in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Pearl?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Pearl?
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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 Pearl. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pearl 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