Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Buckeye, AZ: $65,598 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Buckeye, AZ earns a median $65,598/year (≈ $31.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Buckeye's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $66,597 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Buckeye, Arizona, can expect a median annual salary of $65,598, which reflects a competitive pay scale when compared nationally, albeit 6.62% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this role is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $47,911 and experienced professionals reaching up to $86,671 per year. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional pricing, providing a contextual understanding of the market for physical therapist assistants within Buckeye. The local demand for skilled professionals supports these earnings, with productivity expectations and visit rates per day playing vital roles in compensation levels.
About the Buckeye Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,911 | $23.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,473 | $28.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,598 | $31.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,751 | $35.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,671 | $41.67 |
Median Salary Position
6.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buckeye
In Buckeye, AZ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,760 (2026 est.). At $65,598, the local median is 6.62% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buckeye: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buckeye Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Buckeye median: $65,598/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buckeye Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $66,733 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.62% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Buckeye, AZ earn a median of $65,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.62% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.70% below the Arizona state average of $66,733.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buckeye has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buckeye, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,598 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,597 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,900
2025 BLS Actual
$63,855
2026 Current Est.
$65,598
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Buckeye (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,815 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,131 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,616 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,894 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,598 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,389 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buckeye metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,900 (2019) to $63,855 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,389 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,489 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buckeye 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) | $47,911 – $58,473 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,473 – $65,598 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,598 – $73,751 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,751 – $86,671 |
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 Buckeye
With 19 other physical therapist assistants currently employed in Buckeye, the local job market remains relatively stable, offering various opportunities for aspiring professionals. The cost-of-living index in Buckeye stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which influences real purchasing power and necessitates strategic financial planning. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation packages, but variability exists due to differing productivity expectations and the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. To maximize pay in this environment, PTAs should consider focusing on settings that pay well for productivity, such as hospices and home health agencies, as well as seeking additional qualifications to enhance their marketability. Understanding the local economics and aligning one's professional trajectory accordingly can lead to more substantial earnings in the years ahead.
More salary data for Buckeye, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Buckeye, AZ in 2026?
Is Buckeye, AZ a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Buckeye?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Buckeye?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Buckeye?
Related Pages
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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 $63,855 for physical therapist assistantsin the Buckeye 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 Buckeye 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