Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Florence, AZ: $65,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Florence, AZ earns a median $65,153/year (≈ $31.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Florence's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $66,145 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $65,153, the compensation for physical therapist assistants in Florence, AZ reflects the challenges posed by recent Medicare cuts and market dynamics. The salary range spans from $45,146 at the 10th percentile to $85,221 at the 90th percentile, delineating a landscape where pay varies significantly based on the setting and type of services provided. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional pricing, illustrate the impact of the outpatient versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) market divide. The post-2022 Medicare reimbursement cut has reshaped the financial landscape for physical therapy clinics, making it essential for prospective PTAs to understand local employer demands and market shifts in order to navigate their career paths effectively.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,146 | $21.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,078 | $26.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,153 | $31.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,191 | $35.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,221 | $40.97 |
Median Salary Position
7.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, AZ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,075 (2026 est.). At $65,153, the local median is 7.25% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Florence median: $65,153/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $66,756 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.25% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Florence, AZ earn a median of $65,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.25% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% below the Arizona state average of $66,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence 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.
Florence, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,153 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,145 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,527
2025 BLS Actual
$63,422
2026 Current Est.
$65,153
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,527 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,436 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,744 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,434 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,422 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,932 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,527 (2019) to $63,422 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,932 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,405 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $45,146 – $56,078 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,078 – $65,153 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,153 – $73,191 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,191 – $85,221 |
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 Florence
In Florence, the job market has limited competition, with only five physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national median of $70,247, they generally provide a decent standard of living. Employment opportunities can be most lucrative in outpatient orthopedic clinics—both chains and private practices—which typically offer higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities, where the effects of reimbursement cuts are keenly felt. Factors influencing the wage disparity include the setting of employment, productivity expectations, and whether PTAs are working on weekends or PRN shifts. Aspiring PTAs in Florence can maximize their pay by seeking roles in settings that reward supervision of aides or provide specialized services, as well as by pursuing bridge pathways to transitional DPT programs offered in conjunction with their PTA qualifications.
More salary data for Florence, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Florence, AZ in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Florence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Florence?
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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 $63,422 for physical therapist assistantsin the Florence 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 Florence 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