Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Eugene, OR: $58,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Eugene, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,803 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Eugene's local price level (BEA RPP 101.6 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,895 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,593) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in Eugene, OR, realistic starting salaries are projected at around $58,803 for entry-level positions in 2026. This figure is slightly below the city's median annual salary of $62,593, suggesting that new graduates can expect to earn a lower starting wage while gradually making their way toward the median over a few years. As professionals gain experience, they might see their earnings rise through the 25th percentile, which is projected at $60,642. With an annual growth rate of 2.73%, there's a favorable outlook for new graduates looking to build their careers in this market, making Eugene a viable place for entry-level physical therapist assistants.
Career Earnings Timeline in Eugene
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 Eugene
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Eugene, OR typically start between $58,803 and $60,642 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,610 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,593 — 10.9% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Oregon of $24,000 represents just 40.81% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($58,803/year) in Eugene. 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 Eugene
- 1Research the Eugene market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $58,803 to $60,642, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Eugene, 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 Eugene for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Eugene'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 Eugene is $25,610 ( 43.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,803, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,413.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,740
2025 BLS Actual
$57,240
2026 Current Est.
$58,803
2019–2027 Growth
+19.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Eugene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,408 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Eugene, OR grew 12.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,740 in 2019 to $57,240 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $60,408. New graduates entering the Eugene job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eugene 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 Eugene
In Eugene, various healthcare settings actively hire new graduates, particularly outpatient rehabilitation chains, which tend to offer the most entry-level opportunities. Additionally, skilled nursing facilities continue to recruit despite the impact of recent reimbursement cuts, while home health agencies generally prefer candidates with 1-2 years of clinical experience, which may pose challenges for new hires. Obtaining a CAPTE-accredited associate's degree, passing the NPTAE exam, acquiring a state PTA license, and earning continuing education credits can all contribute to better starting pay in this field. It's essential for new PTAs to stay informed about the evolving regulatory landscape, particularly following the 15% Medicare cut to services provided by PTAs that occurred in 2022. As these dynamics play out, new hires could realistically expect to see modest salary increases during their first few years, particularly as they grow their professional networks and explore pathways for advancement, such as pursuing bridge programs to transition from PTA to DPT.
More salary data for Eugene, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Eugene. 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