Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Gilbert, AZ: $68,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Gilbert, AZ earns a median $68,436/year (≈ $32.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Gilbert's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $69,478 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gilbert, Arizona, the 2026 projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants stands at $68,436, slightly below the national median of $70,247. The salary range reflects significant variability in earnings, from a lower boundary of $47,824 to an upper limit of $95,142. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price parities. Factors like productivity expectations and the number of visits per day greatly influence compensation, emphasizing the importance for PTAs to maximize their effectiveness and efficiency in therapeutic settings to achieve optimal earnings. Understanding this local market context will be crucial for those considering or currently pursuing employment in Gilbert.
About the Gilbert Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,824 | $22.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,753 | $28.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,436 | $32.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,790 | $39.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,142 | $45.75 |
Median Salary Position
2.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gilbert
In Gilbert, AZ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,318 (2026 est.). At $68,436, the local median is 2.58% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gilbert: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gilbert Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Gilbert median: $68,436/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gilbert Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $66,766 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -2.58% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Gilbert, AZ earn a median of $68,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.58% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.50% above the Arizona state average of $66,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gilbert 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.
Gilbert, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $68,436 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,478 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,274
2025 BLS Actual
$66,617
2026 Current Est.
$68,436
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Gilbert (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,229 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,603 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,152 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,658 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,617 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,304 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gilbert metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $57,274 (2019) to $66,617 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,304 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,030 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gilbert 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) | $47,824 – $59,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,753 – $68,436 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,436 – $81,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,790 – $95,142 |
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 Gilbert
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Gilbert is relatively stable, with approximately 49 professionals currently employed in the area. Given that the cost of living index in Gilbert is 98.5—indicating a lower-than-average cost of living—this aligns favorably with the earning potential for PTAs in the region. In terms of top-paying employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically provide the highest compensation, followed by skilled nursing facility rehabilitation and hospital inpatient rehab positions. Pay disparities can largely be attributed to factors such as workplace setting, productivity pressures, and the impact of the 15% Medicare cut introduced in 2022, which has notably affected roles in Medicare-dependent facilities. For those in Gilbert seeking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay, targeting outpatient clinics and being flexible with weekend or PRN opportunities may prove to be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Gilbert, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Gilbert, AZ in 2026?
Is Gilbert, AZ a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Gilbert?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Gilbert?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Gilbert?
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 $66,617 for physical therapist assistantsin the Gilbert 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 Gilbert 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