Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL: $65,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Tuscaloosa, AL earns a median $65,788/year (≈ $31.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Tuscaloosa's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $74,996 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in Tuscaloosa stands at $65,788, which reflects the market adjustments following the significant Medicare cuts that affected rehabilitation settings. This salary falls within a range from $52,403 at the 10th percentile to $78,588 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The outpatient and skilled nursing facility (SNF) sectors have particularly felt the impact of a 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursement for PTA services, leading to shifts in pay dynamics within these environments. Despite this drop, Tuscaloosa retains a robust job market, accommodating approximately 100 physical therapist assistants and adapting to the current economic climate while grappling with the realities of post-pandemic recovery.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,403 | $25.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,755 | $27.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,788 | $31.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,261 | $33.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,588 | $37.78 |
Median Salary Position
6.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,185 (2026 est.). At $65,788, the local median is 6.35% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Tuscaloosa: You'd be above the median
How Tuscaloosa Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Tuscaloosa median: $65,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tuscaloosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,137 | +4.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.35% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $65,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.35% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.20% above the Alabama state average of $63,137.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living 12.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tuscaloosa, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.722 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,996 in an average-cost city — an effective 14% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,740
2025 BLS Actual
$64,040
2026 Current Est.
$65,788
2019–2027 Growth
+7.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Tuscaloosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,584 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 2.1% from $62,740 (2019) to $64,040 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,584 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,844 (7.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tuscaloosa 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) | $52,403 – $57,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,755 – $65,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,788 – $69,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,261 – $78,588 |
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 Tuscaloosa
The cost of living in Tuscaloosa, with an index of 87.722, adds another layer to the financial picture for those considering a career in this field. While the local salary may be slightly lower than the national median for the role, the favorable living costs can enhance overall quality of life and purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often yield the highest compensation among local employers, followed by hospital inpatient rehabilitation and home health agencies. Factors such as work setting, productivity demands, and weekend or PRN shifts significantly influence earnings, with hospital positions typically commanding higher pay than outpatient or SNF roles post-Medicare cuts. For those entering this field, seeking employment in high-demand specialties and engaging in continued education—such as PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways—can be effective strategies to maximize earnings in the local market where financial expectations are evolving.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Tuscaloosa, AL in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Tuscaloosa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Tuscaloosa?
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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 $64,040 for physical therapist assistantsin the Tuscaloosa 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