Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Highland, UT: $41,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Highland, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,865 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Highland's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,676 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($59,283) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Salaries for those starting as physical therapist assistants in Highland, UT, present both challenges and opportunities for new graduates entering the field in 2026. With an entry-level salary projected at $41,865, fresh PTA graduates may initially find the gap to the median annual salary of $59,283 significant. However, there is a defined growth trajectory; individuals can anticipate moving toward $55,121 at the 25th percentile and up to the median within their first three to five years of practice. This steady growth makes Highland a viable market for new graduates, especially as the demand for physical therapy services rises, ultimately supporting career advancement in local facilities.
About the Highland Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Highland
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 Highland
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Highland, UT typically start between $41,865 and $55,121 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $29,159 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $59,283 — 15.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Utah of $18,000 represents just 43.00% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($41,865/year) in Highland. 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 Highland
- 1Research the Highland market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $41,865 to $55,121, 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 Highland, 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 Highland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Highland'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 Highland is $29,159 ( 69.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,865, experienced hygienists can earn up to $71,024.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,548
2025 BLS Actual
$40,752
2026 Current Est.
$41,865
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Highland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,548 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,881 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,816 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,988 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,007 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Highland, UT grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,548 in 2019 to $40,752 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,007. New graduates entering the Highland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Highland 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 Highland
Employers in Highland commonly recruiting new graduates include outpatient clinics, which offer the most positions for entry-level PTAs, whereas skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to actively recruit despite financial pressures due to reimbursement cuts from Medicare. Home health agencies often prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, making it beneficial for new graduates to seek opportunities that build their experience quickly. To enhance starting salaries, obtaining an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program and passing the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTAE) is essential. Additionally, continuing education through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) can facilitate advanced proficiency credentials, raising earning potential. Realistically, new PTAs can expect salary growth in their first few years, recognizing how the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has influenced pay, particularly in Medicare-reliant settings like SNFs. Understanding these dynamics will equip new PTAs for better decision-making in their early careers, and possibly even consider pathways like the PTA-to-DPT bridge program for future growth.
More salary data for Highland, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Highland in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Highland?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Highland?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Highland?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Utah?
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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 Highland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Highland 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