Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Birmingham, AL: $64,083 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Birmingham, AL earns a median $64,083/year (≈ $30.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $69,926 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Birmingham, AL, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,083. This places Birmingham approximately 8.77% below the national median of $70,247 for similar roles, indicating a notable but manageable gap in compensation. The salary range for this occupation spans from $36,962 at the 10th percentile to $81,218 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant variability in earnings depending on experience, setting, and productivity expectations. These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflect changes in the market influenced by structural adjustments in healthcare funding, particularly after Medicare cuts that have affected outpatient and skilled nursing facility operations. The evolving landscape in Birmingham highlights the importance of understanding shifts in employer demand and reimbursement frameworks, especially as roles adapt to new healthcare economic realities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,962 | $17.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,607 | $28.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,083 | $30.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,143 | $36.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,218 | $39.05 |
Median Salary Position
8.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,256 (2026 est.). At $64,083, the local median is 8.77% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be above the median
How Birmingham Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $64,083/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,136 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.77% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $64,083 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.50% above the Alabama state average of $63,136.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,083 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,926 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$58,830
2025 BLS Actual
$62,380
2026 Current Est.
$64,083
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,083 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.0% from $58,830 (2019) to $62,380 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,002 (11.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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) | $36,962 – $58,607 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,607 – $64,083 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,083 – $76,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,143 – $81,218 |
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 Birmingham
Analyzing the local job market, Birmingham employs around 800 physical therapist assistants, a figure indicative of a solid demand within the region. The cost-of-living index in Birmingham stands at 91.644, which is below the national average. This lower cost can positively influence the take-home purchasing power for those working in the field. The highest-paying employers often include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities that may offer higher wages due to increased patient volumes and service complexity. Revenue pressures from the 15% Medicare cut have further differentiated pay, with outpatient settings facing more significant adjustments compared to hospital-based roles. Maximizing earnings as a physical therapist assistant in Birmingham can involve targeting robust outpatient facilities, which tend to offer better pay and career advancement opportunities, particularly for those considering pathways to a DPT. Rising productivity expectations and supervision requirements also shape the compensation structure, making it essential for professionals to align with employers that provide attractive pay packages while fostering career growth.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Birmingham, AL in 2026?
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Birmingham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Birmingham?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Birmingham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $62,380 for physical therapist assistantsin the Birmingham 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
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