Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cedar City, UT: $44,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Cedar City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,174 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,030 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,153) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those beginning their careers as physical therapist assistants in Cedar City, the starting physical therapist assistant salary is projected at approximately $44,174 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $62,153, highlighting a clear gap for entry-level professionals. However, the salary potential improves significantly as new graduates gain experience; they may see their earnings rise to $56,718 at the 25th percentile within a few years. Given the growing demand for rehabilitation services and an annual growth rate of 2.73%, Cedar City presents a promising market for new graduates entering the PTA profession.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar 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 Cedar City
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Cedar City, UT typically start between $44,174 and $56,718 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $32,395 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,153 — 11.52% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Utah of $18,000 represents just 40.75% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($44,174/year) in Cedar 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 Cedar City
- 1Research the Cedar City market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $44,174 to $56,718, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar 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 Cedar City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar 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 Cedar City is $32,395 ( 73.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,174, experienced hygienists can earn up to $76,569.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,123
2025 BLS Actual
$43,000
2026 Current Est.
$44,174
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,123 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,474 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,572 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,029 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,921 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,525 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,380 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar City, UT grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,123 in 2019 to $43,000 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,380. New graduates entering the Cedar City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar 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 Cedar City
In Cedar City, several employers actively recruit entry-level physical therapist assistants. Outpatient rehabilitation centers tend to hire most new graduates, while skilled nursing facilities continue to seek practitioners despite recent reimbursement challenges. Home health care agencies may prefer candidates with some clinical experience but still consider those straight out of school. To enhance earning potential, newly licensed PTAs should obtain their Associate’s degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, pass the NPTAE, and obtain a state PTA license. Given the pressures from the 15% Medicare Part B reimbursement cut, new PTAs can expect moderate salary growth in their first few years as they adapt to a more complex industry landscape. Focusing on continuing education and certifications can provide a competitive edge in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Cedar City in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Cedar City?
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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 Cedar City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar 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