Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $53,111 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Virginia Beach, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,111 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Virginia Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 97.9 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,228 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($75,301) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting financial expectations for newly graduated physical therapist assistants in Virginia Beach, VA, reflect a competitive landscape. In 2026, new entrants can anticipate an entry-level salary around $53,111, which sits significantly below the city median of $75,301. This gap suggests that while the initial income may not seem lucrative, there is a clear trajectory toward growth; PTAs can potentially see increases reaching approximately $62,604 as they gain experience. The robust annual growth rate of 2.73% indicates a healthy job market, making Virginia Beach an appealing option for fresh graduates keen on establishing their careers in this health sector.
Career Earnings Timeline in Virginia Beach
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 Virginia Beach
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Virginia Beach, VA typically start between $53,111 and $62,604 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $31,128 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $75,301 — 7.19% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Virginia of $22,000 represents just 41.42% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($53,111/year) in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach
- 1Research the Virginia Beach market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $53,111 to $62,604, 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 Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Virginia Beach'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 Virginia Beach is $31,128 ( 58.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,111, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,239.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,650
2025 BLS Actual
$51,700
2026 Current Est.
$53,111
2019–2027 Growth
+78.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,111 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,561 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Virginia Beach, VA grew 68.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,650 in 2019 to $51,700 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,561. New graduates entering the Virginia Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
On the ground in Virginia Beach, several employers actively seek to onboard new graduates into their teams. Outpatient clinics are a key player, consistently hiring newly licensed physical therapist assistants for roles that help bolster their operational capacity. Skilled nursing facilities still recruit graduates, although recent reimbursement cuts from CMS may influence salary structures in these environments. To enhance earning potential, new PTAs should focus on obtaining their Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and securing their state PTA license. Enriching their qualifications with continuing education or advanced proficiency credentials under the APTA will also prove beneficial. As they'll work under the supervision of physical therapists, understanding the impacts of Medicare policies on practice, particularly with the 15% cut in reimbursement for PTA services since 2022, will inform salary growth expectations in their first few years on the job.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Virginia Beach in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Virginia Beach?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Virginia Beach?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Virginia Beach?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Virginia?
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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 Virginia Beach. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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