Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Tucson, AZ: $67,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Tucson, AZ earns a median $67,001/year (≈ $32.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $69,147 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Tucson stands at a median of $67,001, slightly lower than the national median of $70,247. This local figure reflects a salary range that spans from $45,972 at the 10th percentile to as high as $80,838 at the 90th percentile, indicating some variability based on experience and workplace setting. These insights are drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. Moreover, for those considering career advancements through the PTA-to-DPT bridge, this pathway can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, making it a favorable move in a city where the job market continues to show strength amid a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,972 | $22.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,001 | $32.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,287 | $36.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,838 | $38.86 |
Median Salary Position
4.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,866 (2026 est.). At $67,001, the local median is 4.62% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be above the median
How Tucson Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Tucson median: $67,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $66,734 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.62% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $67,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.62% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $66,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,147 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,830
2025 BLS Actual
$65,220
2026 Current Est.
$67,001
2019–2027 Growth
+97.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 87.3% from $34,830 (2019) to $65,220 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,000 (97.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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) | $45,972 – $59,440 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,440 – $67,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,001 – $76,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,287 – $80,838 |
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 Tucson
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Tucson features approximately 260 employed in this role, asserting a degree of stability in local healthcare employment. The cost of living in Tucson is relatively affordable, with a cost of living index of 96.896, allowing for better take-home purchasing power compared to higher-cost areas. Employers in Tucson can vary significantly in compensation, with outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offering higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have been impacted by the recent 15% Medicare cut affecting reimbursement for PTA services. Factors such as workplace setting, productivity expectations, and supervision requirements contribute to the discrepancies in pay levels. To maximize earnings in Tucson, PTAs may consider seeking opportunities in outpatient settings, pursuing additional certifications, or exploring roles that provide higher pay, such as weekend shifts or PRN positions.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Tucson, AZ in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Tucson?
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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 $65,220 for physical therapist assistantsin the Tucson 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
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