Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Hoover, AL: $63,718 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Hoover, AL earns a median $63,718/year (≈ $30.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Hoover's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $72,489 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Hoover, AL, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,718, which falls below the national median of $70,247 for the same year. The salary range for this profession in the area is quite broad, from $44,205 at the lower end (P10) to $83,597 at the 90th percentile (P90). These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and regional price differences, presenting a clear picture of the compensation landscape. With the current demand for healthcare professionals in Hoover, aspiring and current physical therapist assistants can find opportunities to enhance their earnings by increasing their patient load or exploring specialized settings that may offer higher compensation.
About the Hoover Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,205 | $21.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,048 | $26.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,718 | $30.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,711 | $35.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,597 | $40.19 |
Median Salary Position
9.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hoover
In Hoover, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,392 (2026 est.). At $63,718, the local median is 9.29% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Hoover: You'd be above the median
How Hoover Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Hoover median: $63,718/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hoover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,087 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.29% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Hoover, AL earn a median of $63,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.29% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.00% above the Alabama state average of $63,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hoover 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.
Hoover, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,718 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,489 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,326
2025 BLS Actual
$62,025
2026 Current Est.
$63,718
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Hoover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,326 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,215 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,494 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,936 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,125 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,701 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,025 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,718 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,458 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hoover metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,326 (2019) to $62,025 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,132 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hoover 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) | $44,205 – $55,048 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,048 – $63,718 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,718 – $73,711 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,711 – $83,597 |
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 Hoover
Within Hoover's job market, there are currently 17 physical therapist assistants employed, indicating a relatively modest yet stable professional community. The cost of living index in Hoover is 87.9, meaning that living expenses are generally lower than the national average, which helps amplify take-home purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the most include outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, though the latter have been affected by Medicare cuts that reduced PTA reimbursements by 15% starting in 2022. Variations in salary can arise from factors such as setting, productivity mandates, and potential weekend or PRN premiums. PTAs looking to maximize their pay in Hoover should consider furthering their education or pursuing a PTA-to-DPT bridging pathway for increased opportunities, while also being mindful of the current pressures on wages stemming from reimbursement cuts.
More salary data for Hoover, 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 $62,025 for physical therapist assistantsin the Hoover 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 Hoover 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