Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Gadsden, AL: $66,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Gadsden, AL earns a median $66,836/year (≈ $32.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $78,031 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in 2026 is $66,836, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national average of $70,247. The salary spectrum ranges from $57,159 at the 10th percentile to $81,773 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant potential for higher earnings based on experience and workplace setting. The data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating the potential for career advancement in the region. With a growth rate of 2.73% anticipated over the next five years, Gadsden’s market showcases promising opportunities for physical therapist assistants, particularly for those willing to specialize in high-demand areas.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,159 | $27.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,566 | $28.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,836 | $32.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,072 | $33.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,773 | $39.31 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,614 (2026 est.). At $66,836, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gadsden Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $66,836/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,113 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.86% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $66,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.90% above the Alabama state average of $63,113.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden has a cost of living 14.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.653 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,836 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,031 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,340
2025 BLS Actual
$65,060
2026 Current Est.
$66,836
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,661 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.1% from $61,340 (2019) to $65,060 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,321 (11.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $57,159 – $58,566 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,566 – $66,836 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,836 – $70,072 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,072 – $81,773 |
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 Gadsden
A total of 160 physical therapist assistants are currently employed in Gadsden, contributing to a competitive local job market. The region's cost-of-living index of 85.653 indicates that living expenses are lower than the national average, making the take-home pay of PTAs more impactful in terms of purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the highest compensation, followed by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, which can vary based on productivity expectations and specific employer policies. The pay spread reflects a range of factors, including employer type, productivity demands, and the effects of the 15% Medicare cut, particularly in environments dependent on Medicare funding. To maximize earnings, physical therapist assistants should seek positions in outpatient settings where compensation is more robust and consider pursuing continuing education or specialization to enhance career prospects in Gadsden AL.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 $65,060 for physical therapist assistantsin the Gadsden 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, 6-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