Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Arizona: $66,822 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $66,822/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,840 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Flagstaff ($73,710), Scottsdale ($68,469), Prescott Valley ($68,330).
The salary landscape for physical therapist assistants in Arizona shows a median salary of $66,822, which is 4.9% lower than the national median of $70,247 for 2026. The pay range varies significantly across the state, with Flagstaff leading at $75,722, while Sedona offers the lowest at $62,656. This $13,066 gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and local healthcare infrastructure. Arizona's state licensing requirements for physical therapist assistants include completing an accredited education program and passing the National Physical Therapy Examination. Scope of practice laws in Arizona allow assistants to perform various therapeutic activities under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, influencing job responsibilities and salary potential. The demand for physical therapist services continues to rise, driven by an aging population and increasing awareness of rehabilitation services. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.73% for the profession, job opportunities are expected to remain stable. Notable cities for employment include Scottsdale at $70,338, Prescott Valley at $70,195, Glendale at $70,091, and Prescott at $69,821. Overall, the outlook for physical therapist assistants in Arizona is favorable, with various employment opportunities available across metropolitan areas.
Arizona Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $31,887 (lowest entry-level) to $95,142 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona physical therapist assistants earn 4.88% less than the national median ($-3,425/year difference).
Arizona Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Arizona range from $40,150 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,291 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,822. The Arizona median is $3,425 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $32.13/hr. Approximately 2,483 physical therapist assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,359
2025 BLS Actual
$65,046
2026 Current Est.
$66,822
2019–2027 Growth
+88.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,359 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,306 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,246 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,871 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,878 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,046 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,822 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,646 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 78.9% from $36,359 (2019) to $65,046 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,646 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,287 (88.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sedona | $62,656 |
| Nogales | $62,872 |
| Oro Valley | $63,268 |
| Yuma | $63,292 |
| Sierra Vista | $63,853 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $75,722 | 100.325 | $75,477 |
| Prescott Valley | $70,195 | 98.255 | $71,442 |
| Scottsdale | $70,338 | 98.5 | $71,409 |
| Glendale | $70,091 | 98.5 | $71,158 |
| Prescott | $69,821 | 98.5 | $70,884 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,150 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,822 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,291 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flagstaff | $75,722 |
| 2 | Scottsdale | $70,338 |
| 3 | Prescott Valley | $70,195 |
| 4 | Glendale | $70,091 |
| 5 | Prescott | $69,821 |
| 6 | Gilbert | $68,436 |
| 7 | Peoria | $68,212 |
| 8 | Maricopa | $67,654 |
| 9 | Avondale | $67,554 |
| 10 | Marana | $67,300 |
| 11 | San Tan Valley | $67,104 |
| 12 | Tempe | $67,025 |
| 13 | Tucson | $67,001 |
| 14 | Chandler | $66,952 |
| 15 | Surprise | $66,600 |
| 16 | Goodyear | $66,496 |
| 17 | Phoenix | $66,487 |
| 18 | Queen Creek | $66,217 |
| 19 | Mesa | $66,165 |
| 20 | Buckeye | $65,598 |
| 21 | Florence | $65,153 |
| 22 | Casa Grande | $65,011 |
| 23 | Bullhead City | $65,003 |
| 24 | El Mirage | $64,713 |
| 25 | Sahuarita | $64,433 |
| 26 | Lake Havasu City | $64,381 |
| 27 | Apache Junction | $64,350 |
| 28 | Kingman | $64,193 |
| 29 | Sierra Vista | $63,853 |
| 30 | Yuma | $63,292 |
| 31 | Oro Valley | $63,268 |
| 32 | Nogales | $62,872 |
| 33 | Sedona | $62,656 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Arizona cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Arizona?
How does Arizona physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Arizona?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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