Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Opelika, AL: $60,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Opelika, AL earns a median $60,952/year (≈ $29.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $69,342 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Opelika, Alabama, is projected to be $60,952, notably lower than the national median of $70,247. The local salary range spans from $46,127 at the 10th percentile to $78,315 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect shifts in the job market driven by recent policy changes. The outpatient vs skilled nursing facility (SNF) divide has particularly influenced compensation structures post-Medicare cuts, making the market dynamic and competitive. Physical therapist assistants must now navigate these changes to secure advantageous positions in the evolving landscape of healthcare in Opelika.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,127 | $22.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,385 | $26.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,952 | $29.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,038 | $33.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,315 | $37.65 |
Median Salary Position
13.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,188 (2026 est.). At $60,952, the local median is 13.23% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Opelika median: $60,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,097 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.23% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Opelika, AL earn a median of $60,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.23% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.40% below the Alabama state average of $63,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika 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.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,952 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,342 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.76% 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
$51,011
2025 BLS Actual
$59,332
2026 Current Est.
$60,952
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,011 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,861 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,085 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,601 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,543 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,332 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,616 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,011 (2019) to $59,332 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,616 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,605 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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) | $46,127 – $55,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,385 – $60,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,952 – $70,038 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,038 – $78,315 |
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 Opelika
Within the Opelika AL job market, only seven physical therapist assistants are currently employed, highlighting a relatively small workforce that can contribute to competitive pay dynamics. The cost of living index of 87.9 indicates that salaries stretch further in Opelika than in higher-cost areas, allowing for greater purchasing power. To maximize physical therapist assistant pay in Opelika, candidates should consider opportunities in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab, where providers often compensate at higher rates compared to home health agencies and pediatric therapy programs. Factors influencing the disparity in salaries include setting expectations, productivity demands, and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which has constrained earnings particularly in SNF and outpatient settings. Engaging in continued education, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, may also enhance career prospects and income potential in the long run.
More salary data for Opelika, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Opelika, AL in 2026?
Is Opelika, AL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Opelika?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Opelika?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Opelika?
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 $59,332 for physical therapist assistantsin the Opelika 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 Opelika 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