Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Oregon City, OR: $48,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Oregon City, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $48,920 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oregon City's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $47,680 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($68,248) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the physical therapist assistant field in Oregon City, the starting pay can be a point of consideration. New graduates should realistically anticipate initial salaries around $48,920, significantly lower than the city's median of $68,248. This discrepancy highlights the typical growth trajectory for entry-level positions, where practitioners can expect to see their earnings rise from $48,920 to approximately $59,945 within the first few years of experience, eventually approaching the median salary over a span of three to five years. As such, Oregon City presents a relatively encouraging market for newcomers, offering potential growth in their earning power, especially in the ever-evolving healthcare sector.
About the Oregon City Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oregon City
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 Oregon City
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Oregon City, OR typically start between $48,920 and $59,945 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $35,644 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $68,248 — 2.85% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Oregon of $24,000 represents just 49.06% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($48,920/year) in Oregon City. 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 Oregon City
- 1Research the Oregon City market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $48,920 to $59,945, 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 Oregon City, 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 Oregon City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oregon City'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 Oregon City is $35,644 ( 72.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $48,920, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,564.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,359
2025 BLS Actual
$47,620
2026 Current Est.
$48,920
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Oregon City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,359 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,748 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,179 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,222 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,283 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,256 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Oregon City, OR grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,359 in 2019 to $47,620 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,256. New graduates entering the Oregon City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon City 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 Oregon City
Employers in Oregon City seeking to hire new physical therapist assistants predominantly include outpatient therapy clinics, which are typically the most accessible to recent graduates. Skilled nursing facilities continue to recruit despite industry challenges, such as the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for PTA services implemented in 2022, prompting competitive pay environments. To boost their initial compensation, new PTAs are encouraged to complete an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the NPTAE national exam, and obtain a state PTA license, as well as maintaining BLS certification. Furthermore, pursuing advanced proficiency credentials through APTA can enhance prospects. In the initial 1-3 years, realistic salary expectations may see new PTAs gradually progress toward state averages, but awareness of reimbursement frameworks will inform career strategies and opportunities in a variety of clinical settings.
More salary data for Oregon City, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Oregon City in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Oregon City?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Oregon City?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Oregon City?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Oregon?
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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 Oregon City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oregon City 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