Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Alabama: $63,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $63,264/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,973 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Gadsden ($65,060), Tuscaloosa ($64,040), Decatur ($62,810).
The projected median salary for physical therapist assistants in Alabama in 2026 is $63,263, which is about 9.9% lower than the national median of $70,247. Within the state, salaries vary significantly, with Gadsden offering the highest average at $66,836, while Dothan has the lowest at $57,683. This $9,153 salary difference between cities can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for physical therapy services, and local healthcare infrastructure. In Alabama, physical therapist assistants are required to obtain state licensure, ensuring they meet specific qualifications and standards set by the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy. The scope of practice laws determine what services assistants can perform under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. As of 2026, the employment outlook for this profession is positive, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, indicating steady demand in both urban and rural areas. Top cities projected for employment include Tuscaloosa at $65,788, Decatur at $64,525, Birmingham at $64,083, and Hoover at $63,718, showcasing a favorable job market for individuals pursuing this career in Alabama.
Alabama Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $36,962 (lowest entry-level) to $90,824 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama physical therapist assistants earn 9.94% less than the national median ($-6,983/year difference).
Alabama Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Alabama range from $46,777 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,782 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,264. The Alabama median is $6,983 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $30.42/hr. Approximately 2,214 physical therapist assistants are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,189
2025 BLS Actual
$61,582
2026 Current Est.
$63,264
2019–2027 Growth
+11.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,189 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,569 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,717 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,634 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,947 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,251 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,582 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 5.8% from $58,189 (2019) to $61,582 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,802 (11.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Dothan | $57,683 |
| Pelham | $58,360 |
| Albertville | $60,447 |
| Vestavia Hills | $60,585 |
| Opelika | $60,952 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gadsden | $66,836 | 85.653 | $78,031 |
| Tuscaloosa | $65,788 | 87.722 | $74,996 |
| Anniston | $63,600 | 85.949 | $73,997 |
| Decatur | $64,525 | 87.212 | $73,986 |
| Hoover | $63,718 | 87.9 | $72,489 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,777 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,264 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,782 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gadsden | $66,836 |
| 2 | Tuscaloosa | $65,788 |
| 3 | Decatur | $64,525 |
| 4 | Birmingham | $64,083 |
| 5 | Hoover | $63,718 |
| 6 | Anniston | $63,600 |
| 7 | Mobile | $63,107 |
| 8 | Montgomery | $62,573 |
| 9 | Huntsville | $62,532 |
| 10 | Phenix City | $62,098 |
| 11 | Prattville | $61,760 |
| 12 | Auburn | $61,693 |
| 13 | Northport | $61,623 |
| 14 | Madison | $61,529 |
| 15 | Florence | $61,330 |
| 16 | Daphne | $61,268 |
| 17 | Alabaster | $61,148 |
| 18 | Enterprise | $61,049 |
| 19 | Homewood | $60,971 |
| 20 | Opelika | $60,952 |
| 21 | Vestavia Hills | $60,585 |
| 22 | Albertville | $60,447 |
| 23 | Pelham | $58,360 |
| 24 | Dothan | $57,683 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Alabama cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Alabama?
How does Alabama physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Alabama?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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