Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Madison, AL: $61,529 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Madison, AL earns a median $61,529/year (≈ $29.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Madison's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $69,999 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Madison, Alabama is projected to reach a median of $61,529. This figure is a benchmark for local PTAs but falls approximately 12.41% below the national median salary of $70,247. The local salary range varies widely, from $44,160 at the 10th percentile to $80,320 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse roles and environments within the profession. These estimates are derived from state-level BLS data adjusted for the region’s cost of living, which is notably lower than the national average at an index of 87.9. As Madison continues to adapt its healthcare services, opportunities in outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation hospitals are pivotal, particularly as the PTA-to-DPT bridge configuration continues to influence lifetime earnings for those pursuing higher qualifications.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,261 | $26.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,529 | $29.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,936 | $34.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,320 | $38.62 |
Median Salary Position
12.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,160 (2026 est.). At $61,529, the local median is 12.41% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Madison median: $61,529/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,107 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.41% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Madison, AL earn a median of $61,529 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.41% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $63,107.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison 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.
Madison, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,529 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,999 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,494
2025 BLS Actual
$59,894
2026 Current Est.
$61,529
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,494 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,353 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,588 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,993 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,894 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,529 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,494 (2019) to $59,894 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,715 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $44,160 – $54,261 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,261 – $61,529 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,529 – $70,936 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,936 – $80,320 |
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 Madison
In terms of job market dynamics, the physical therapist assistant pay in Madison AL is influenced by several local factors. With only nine PTAs employed in the area, the job market remains relatively small, which can affect competition for positions. The lower cost of living index allows for a more favorable take-home income even if salaries appear modest compared to national averages. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities, where the reduction in Medicare reimbursement has led to tighter budgets and, subsequently, lower salaries for PTAs. The disparity in compensation is also shaped by the demands of different settings, with hospital roles typically leading to better pay and added benefits. To maximize pay in Madison, PTAs should seek employment in high-demand outpatient settings and consider additional certifications that can enhance their marketability, especially as the local healthcare environment evolves.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Madison, AL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Madison?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Madison?
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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 $59,894 for physical therapist assistantsin the Madison 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 Madison 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