PT Assistant Salary

Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Roy, UT: $43,354 (2026)

Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Roy, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,354 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Roy's local price level (BEA RPP 98.12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $44,194 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,918) within a few years of clinical practice.

$43,354
Starting Salary
$20.84/hr
Starting Hourly
$43,354
Entry Level
$61,918
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Physical Therapist Assistant Entry Level Salary in Roy, UT — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Roy, UT physical therapist assistant entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For new graduates in physical therapy assisting, the entry-level pay in Roy, Utah reflects varying expectations compared to overall market conditions. In 2026, the starting physical therapist assistant salary Roy offers begins at approximately $43,354, which is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $61,918. However, early-career PTAs in this region have the potential to see a growth trajectory that leads them upwards through $53,818 at the 25th percentile, with a realistic path toward reaching the median after a few years of experience. With a growth rate of 2.73%, Roy presents a moderately favorable job market for those just starting their careers, helping new graduates transition into full-time roles within local healthcare facilities.

About the Roy Market

Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Roy

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$43,354/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$53,818/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$61,918/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$68,732/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roy

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for physical therapist assistants in Roy. The median salary is $61,918, compared to the national median of $70,247.$39.0K$49.2K$59.3K$69.5K$79.6K$43.4K10th Pctl$53.8K25th Pctl$61.9KMedian$68.7K75th Pctl$75.8K90th PctlUS Median$70.2K

Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Roy, UT typically start between $43,354 and $53,818 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $32,465 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,91811.86% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of physical therapist assistant pay in the Roy metro area.

Return on Investment

$18,000
Avg UT Program Cost
$43,354
Starting Salary
41.52%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average physical therapy program cost in Utah of $18,000 represents just 41.52% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($43,354/year) in Roy. 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 Roy

  • 1Research the Roy market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $43,354 to $53,818, 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 Roy, 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 Roy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Roy'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 Roy is $32,465 ( 74.88%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,354, experienced hygienists can earn up to $75,819.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$29,563

2025 BLS Actual

$42,202

2026 Current Est.

$43,354

2019–2027 Growth

+50.7%

Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Roy (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for physical therapist assistants in Roy. Baseline $29,563 in 2025, projected to $44,538 by 2027.$26.6K$31.8K$37.1K$42.3K$47.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$29.6K$29.9K$32.9K$38.3K$37.2K$40.8K$42.2K$43.4K$44.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$29,563Actual
2020$29,908Actual
2021$32,948Actual
2022$38,304Actual
2023$37,217Actual
2024$40,758Actual
2025$42,202Actual
2026(current)$43,354Estimated
2027$44,538Projected

Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Roy, UT grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,563 in 2019 to $42,202 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $44,538. New graduates entering the Roy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roy metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Roy

In Roy, multiple employers are known for hiring new grad physical therapist assistants. Outpatient rehabilitation chains are among the primary recruiters, while skilled nursing facilities continue to attract fresh talent, despite the recent 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursement, which has affected compensation structures across the board. Those who have completed an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, passed the NPTAE national exam, and possess a state PTA license are better positioned in the job market. Attaining additional credentials such as BLS certification and considering advanced proficiency through APTA can positively influence starting pay. Typically, PTAs operate under the supervision of physical therapists, and while many may start at wages below the state average, realistic salary growth can be achieved within the first three years, especially for those willing to expand their skills in high-demand settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Roy in 2026?

Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Roy start at approximately $43,354/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.73% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $20.84/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Roy?

Most physical therapist assistants in Roy progress from the entry-level salary of $43,354 to the area median of $61,918 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $75,819 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is physical therapy school worth it in Roy?

With a starting salary of $43,354/year in Roy and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for an associate's degree (2–3 years), graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new physical therapist assistants recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Roy?

New physical therapy graduates in Roy typically start near the 10th percentile at $43,354/year, or approximately $20.84/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Utah?

To become a licensed physical therapist assistant in Utah, you typically need an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. from an accredited program (typically 2–3 years), then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Utah, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some physical therapist assistants pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Utah

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

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 Roy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Roy is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: