Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Tulsa, OK: $27,152 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Tulsa, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $27,152 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tulsa's local price level (BEA RPP 89.2 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $30,435 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,546) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in Tulsa, starting salaries for new graduates in 2026 are projected to begin at a modest $27,152. This figure reflects the lower end of the entry-level salary range, significantly below the city's overall median annual salary of $61,546 for this occupation. New professionals can anticipate a pathway for salary growth as they gain experience; over the first three to five years, it's realistic to aim for an income that could escalate toward the $59,892 mark and, ultimately, reach the median level, depending on job performance and advancement opportunities. With the projected growth rate of 2.73% annually, Tulsa remains a viable market for recent PTA graduates to establish their careers and enter a field with increasing demand.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tulsa
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 Tulsa
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Tulsa, OK typically start between $27,152 and $59,892 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $56,337 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,546 — 12.39% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Oklahoma of $14,000 represents just 51.56% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($27,152/year) in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa
- 1Research the Tulsa market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $27,152 to $59,892, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Tulsa, 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 Tulsa for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tulsa'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 Tulsa is $56,337 ( 207.49%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $27,152, experienced hygienists can earn up to $83,489.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,990
2025 BLS Actual
$26,430
2026 Current Est.
$27,152
2019–2027 Growth
+-17.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,152 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27,893 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Tulsa, OK grew -22.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,990 in 2019 to $26,430 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $27,893. New graduates entering the Tulsa job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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 Tulsa
When exploring employment opportunities, recent PTA graduates in Tulsa can find opportunities concentrated in outpatient rehabilitation centers, which tend to hire most new graduates. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) also seek to employ fresh talent despite recent reimbursement challenges, while home health agencies often prefer candidates with a year or two of clinical experience. To position themselves favorably in this competitive market, new entrants should prioritize obtaining credentials such as a CAPTE-accredited associate's degree, passing the NPTAE national exam, and obtaining a state PTA license. Pursuing continuing education and potentially advanced proficiency credentials through the APTA can also positively impact starting pay in Oklahoma. Understanding the impact of the 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA services—especially in settings reliant on Medicare—can inform career strategies for the initial years. Realistically, new graduates may see salary progression that aligns with the ongoing demand for PTAs in the local market, particularly as they build up their skill sets and professional networks.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Tulsa in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Tulsa?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Tulsa?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Tulsa?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Oklahoma?
Related Pages
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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 Tulsa. 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