Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Arkansas: $67,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $67,169/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,295 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($74,296), Springdale ($74,243), Fayetteville ($73,100).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Arkansas is projected to be $67,169, which is 4.4% lower than the national median of $70,247. The highest-paying city in the state is Rogers, where salaries reach $76,324, while the lowest is Van Buren at $60,342, creating a significant salary gap of $15,982. This disparity can be attributed to varying levels of demand for healthcare services, cost of living differences, and the presence of healthcare facilities in these regions. Arkansas requires physical therapist assistants to hold state licensure and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which can impact job responsibilities and salary levels. The job market for this occupation is projected to grow at a rate of 2.73% annually, according to recent BLS data, indicating a steady demand for professionals in the field. Key cities like Springdale ($76,270), Fayetteville ($75,096), and Texarkana ($74,936) follow Rogers in salary offerings, reflecting regional economic conditions and healthcare needs. Little Rock, the state capital, has a median salary of $65,860, showing the variation across urban areas in Arkansas. The overall outlook for physical therapist assistants in the state remains positive, driven by an increasing focus on rehabilitation services.
Arkansas Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $32,052 (lowest entry-level) to $99,598 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas physical therapist assistants earn 4.38% less than the national median ($-3,078/year difference).
Arkansas Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Arkansas range from $36,315 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,167 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,169. The Arkansas median is $3,078 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $32.29/hr. Approximately 1,161 physical therapist assistants are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,551
2025 BLS Actual
$65,384
2026 Current Est.
$67,169
2019–2027 Growth
+12.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,551 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,563 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,544 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,533 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,565 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,003 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.2% from $61,551 (2019) to $65,384 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,003 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,452 (12.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Van Buren | $60,342 |
| Bryant | $61,427 |
| Searcy | $61,892 |
| Cabot | $62,545 |
| Russellville | $62,828 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $76,324 | 86.9 | $87,830 |
| Springdale | $76,270 | 86.9 | $87,768 |
| Texarkana | $74,936 | 86.9 | $86,232 |
| Fayetteville | $75,096 | 91.353 | $82,204 |
| Hot Springs | $65,008 | 85.73 | $75,829 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,315 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,169 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,167 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $76,324 |
| 2 | Springdale | $76,270 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $75,096 |
| 4 | Texarkana | $74,936 |
| 5 | Little Rock | $65,860 |
| 6 | Hot Springs | $65,008 |
| 7 | Fort Smith | $64,936 |
| 8 | North Little Rock | $64,888 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $64,538 |
| 10 | Conway | $64,461 |
| 11 | Jonesboro | $64,412 |
| 12 | Bentonville | $64,221 |
| 13 | Benton | $63,685 |
| 14 | Paragould | $63,504 |
| 15 | Pine Bluff | $63,453 |
| 16 | Sherwood | $63,160 |
| 17 | Russellville | $62,828 |
| 18 | Cabot | $62,545 |
| 19 | Searcy | $61,892 |
| 20 | Bryant | $61,427 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $60,342 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Arkansas?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas 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 Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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