Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Newport News, VA: $54,861 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Newport News, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,861 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Newport News's local price level (BEA RPP 103.2 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,160 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($76,202) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the field as a physical therapist assistant in Newport News, Virginia, can lead to a promising start with expected salaries in 2026. New graduates may encounter a starting physical therapist assistant salary in Newport News set at $54,861, which is lower than the city’s overall median annual salary of $76,202. However, this gap presents a growth opportunity, as early-career PTAs can anticipate moving from their starting pay to approximately $67,711 after gaining experience. With an annual growth rate for this profession projected at 2.73%, and with the median salary reflecting a robust demand in the local healthcare market, Newport News remains an attractive location for new grad physical therapist assistant pay VA compared to national standards.
About the Newport News Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Newport News
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 Newport News
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Newport News, VA typically start between $54,861 and $67,711 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $48,618 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $76,202 — 8.48% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Virginia of $22,000 represents just 40.10% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($54,861/year) in Newport News. 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 Newport News
- 1Research the Newport News market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $54,861 to $67,711, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Newport News, 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 Newport News for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Newport News'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 Newport News is $48,618 ( 88.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,861, experienced hygienists can earn up to $103,479.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,410
2025 BLS Actual
$53,403
2026 Current Est.
$54,861
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,846 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,471 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,095 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,403 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,861 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,359 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Newport News, VA grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,410 in 2019 to $53,403 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,359. New graduates entering the Newport News job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News 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 Newport News
In Newport News, several employers actively recruit new graduates in this profession, focusing on settings like outpatient rehabilitation chains, which tend to hire the majority of entry-level PTAs. Skilled nursing facilities also seek fresh talent despite experiencing reimbursement challenges, whereas home health agencies typically prefer candidates with more experience. To ensure a strong entry into the field, aspiring PTAs should prioritize obtaining an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and securing their state PTA license. These credentials will help to enhance the starting pay in Virginia. Career growth in the initial years can be steady, with many PTAs working under the supervision of licensed physical therapists while navigating changes like the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Such dynamics necessitate an informed approach to securing positions in the market and pursuing options such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs for further advancement.
More salary data for Newport News, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Newport News in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Newport News?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Newport News?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Newport News?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Virginia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Newport News. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Newport News 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