Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Auburn, AL: $61,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Auburn, AL earns a median $61,693/year (≈ $29.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $70,185 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Auburn, AL are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,693, which is about 12.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 for this role. The salary range for local PTAs extends from $44,475 at the P10 level to $80,664 at the P90 level, reflecting the diversity of compensation based on experience and workplace settings. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicate that Auburn presents a stable, albeit competitive job market for PTAs, especially as many professionals contemplate the PTA-to-DPT bridge timeline. Successfully transitioning to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, adding value to the initial salary gained within Auburn's healthcare landscape.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,475 | $21.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,601 | $26.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,693 | $29.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,695 | $34.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,664 | $38.78 |
Median Salary Position
12.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,189 (2026 est.). At $61,693, the local median is 12.18% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Auburn median: $61,693/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,081 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.18% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Auburn, AL earn a median of $61,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% below the Alabama state average of $63,081.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,693 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,185 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,400
2025 BLS Actual
$60,054
2026 Current Est.
$61,693
2019–2027 Growth
+4.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,122 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,054 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -0.6% from $60,400 (2019) to $60,054 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,978 (4.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,475 – $54,601 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,601 – $61,693 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,693 – $72,695 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,695 – $80,664 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Auburn
The local job market for physical therapist assistants consists of only 16 professionals, indicating a relatively small workforce that could be advantageous for those entering the field. The lower cost of living index in Auburn, at 87.9, suggests that take-home purchasing power for PTAs may be more favorable compared to other regions, despite the current base salaries. High-paying opportunities for PTAs are more likely found within outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, where productivity expectations and supervision requirements may allow for increased earnings. In contrast, skilled nursing facilities may offer lower pay due to the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare cut instituted in 2022. To maximize their earning potential, PTAs in Auburn should consider diversifying their experience across various settings and seeking employment in environments that provide better reimbursement rates.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,054 for physical therapist assistantsin the Auburn metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn 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