Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Vestavia Hills, AL: $60,585 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Vestavia Hills, AL earns a median $60,585/year (≈ $29.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Vestavia Hills's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $68,925 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $60,585. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a local market that offers pay ranging from $43,492 at the 10th percentile to $77,289 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate a competitive but somewhat compressed salary landscape. As many PTAs consider the pathway to becoming doctors of physical therapy, understanding the impact of this transition on lifetime earnings is crucial; advanced qualifications can significantly enhance earning potential in the long run.
About the Vestavia Hills Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,492 | $20.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,262 | $25.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,585 | $29.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,141 | $33.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,289 | $37.16 |
Median Salary Position
13.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vestavia Hills
In Vestavia Hills, AL, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,797 (2026 est.). At $60,585, the local median is 13.75% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vestavia Hills: You'd be above the median
How Vestavia Hills Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Vestavia Hills median: $60,585/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vestavia Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $63,109 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.75% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $60,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.75% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $63,109.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vestavia Hills 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.
Vestavia Hills, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,585 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,925 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% 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
$50,704
2025 BLS Actual
$58,975
2026 Current Est.
$60,585
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,704 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,549 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,137 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,266 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,975 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,585 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vestavia Hills metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,704 (2019) to $58,975 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,535 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vestavia Hills 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) | $43,492 – $53,262 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,262 – $60,585 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,585 – $69,141 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,141 – $77,289 |
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 Vestavia Hills
While the job market for physical therapist assistants in Vestavia Hills is modest, with only eight professionals currently employed in the area, the cost of living index stands at 87.9, suggesting that salaries may go further than they would in more expensive regions. Local employers, especially outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, traditionally offer varying rates, dependent on the setting's productivity expectations and supervision requirements. Factors driving compensation disparities include weekend and PRN premium shifts and operational adjustments following the Medicare reimbursement cuts. To maximize earning potential in Vestavia Hills, PTAs should target outpatient clinics where pay often outweighs that of home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities, and consider furthering their education to enhance their marketability.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Vestavia Hills, AL in 2026?
Is Vestavia Hills, AL a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Vestavia Hills?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Vestavia Hills?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Vestavia Hills?
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 $58,975 for physical therapist assistantsin the Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills 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