Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Springfield, OH: $59,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Springfield, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $59,491 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Springfield's local price level (BEA RPP 90.5 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,749 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($66,631) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Entering the workforce as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in Springfield, Ohio in 2026 offers starting salaries that reflect the local market conditions. New graduates can expect to see entry-level pay beginning around $59,491, which is below the overall city median salary of $66,631. However, there is a clear pathway for financial growth over the initial years of employment. With experience and expertise, new PTAs can anticipate approaching the P25 salary of $64,371 within the first few years, gradually closing the gap to the median salary. Given Springfield's cost of living index of 90.482, which is below the national average, this starting physical therapist assistant salary in Springfield can be considered competitive for new grads, contributing to an encouraging job market for recent associates from CAPTE-accredited programs.
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, OH typically start between $59,491 and $64,371 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,217 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $66,631 — 5.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Ohio of $20,000 represents just 33.62% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($59,491/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 $59,491 to $64,371, 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 OH 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 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 Springfield is $20,217 ( 33.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $59,491, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,708.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,080
2025 BLS Actual
$57,910
2026 Current Est.
$59,491
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
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 | $44,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,115 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Springfield, OH grew 31.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,080 in 2019 to $57,910 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,115. 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
Hiring trends in Springfield's healthcare landscape largely favor outpatient clinics, providing ample opportunities for new graduate physical therapist assistants. Although skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to employ PTAs, there are fewer positions available due to the recent 15% cuts in Medicare Part B reimbursement for many services, necessitating a strategic approach for new entrants aiming to secure employment. Essential qualifications include obtaining an associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and securing a state PTA license. Continuing education and earning advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA can aid in boosting starting pay. For those early in their careers, establishing a solid foundation while working under the supervision of physical therapists is crucial, especially given the shifts in reimbursement policies that have financial implications on PTA salaries. Considering the expected growth rate of 2.73%, entry-level physical therapist assistants can look forward to steady wage increases, making Springfield a viable place for launching a PTA career.
More salary data for Springfield, OH:
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?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Ohio?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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