Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Casper, WY: $34,014 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Casper, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,014 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Casper's local price level (BEA RPP 93.8 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,251 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,806) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Salaries for new graduate physical therapist assistants in Casper, Wyoming, present an intriguing dynamic as they start their careers. With a projected starting pay at the 10th percentile around $34,014 annually in 2026, entry-level PTAs can anticipate earning substantially less than the median salary of $63,806 in the city. However, this figure signifies an upward trajectory; as new graduates gain experience, salaries are expected to advance from this initial figure through the 25th percentile at $60,025 and towards the median. For those looking to enter the workforce in Casper, it’s important to carefully assess the local market and cost of living, as the city offers a lower living cost index at 93.829 compared to the national average. This environment means that while starting physical therapist assistant salaries in Casper may lag behind the national median of $70,247, the overall financial climate can support budding careers in this healthcare sector.
Career Earnings Timeline in Casper
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 Casper
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Casper, WY typically start between $34,014 and $60,025 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $45,273 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,806 — 9.17% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Wyoming of $16,000 represents just 47.04% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($34,014/year) in Casper. 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 Casper
- 1Research the Casper market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $34,014 to $60,025, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Casper, 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 Casper for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Casper's below-average 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 Casper is $45,273 ( 133.10%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,014, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,287.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,194
2025 BLS Actual
$33,110
2026 Current Est.
$34,014
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Casper (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,194 | Actual |
| 2020 | $23,465 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,199 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,784 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,014 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,942 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Casper, WY grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,194 in 2019 to $33,110 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $34,942. New graduates entering the Casper job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Casper 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 Casper
In Casper, various employers are keen to hire new physical therapist assistants, particularly outpatient practice chains that frequently recruit recent graduates. Skilled nursing facilities continue to seek PTAs even amidst changes in reimbursement policies, which can impact salary levels. To be competitive, new graduates should hold an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the NPTAE national exam, and secure a state PTA license. Additional credentials from the APTA, such as advanced proficiency, can also help boost initial pay. Given the current climate affected by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts in 2022, which have tightened budgets in settings reliant on Medicare—such as skilled nursing facilities—first-year expectations should be tempered with an understanding of salary compression in these environments. Over the first three years, solid career strategies and continued education will be essential for navigating opportunities for growth and increasing overall earnings in this field, even if starting new grad physical therapist assistant pay in WY is less than the national average.
More salary data for Casper, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Casper. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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