Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $65,008 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $65,008/year (≈ $31.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $75,829 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median salary for physical therapist assistants in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is projected to be $65,008, which falls below the national median of $70,247 by approximately 7.46%. The expected salary range spans from $32,052 at the lower end (P10) to $80,068 at the upper end (P90). These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting the local compensation market for this vital healthcare role. Given the sizable support this profession provides as part of patient rehabilitation, understanding these compensation dynamics is crucial for those entering the field or seeking to build their careers in Hot Springs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,052 | $15.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,008 | $31.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,006 | $37.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,068 | $38.49 |
Median Salary Position
7.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,016 (2026 est.). At $65,008, the local median is 7.46% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be above the median
How Hot Springs Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $65,008/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $70,247 | -7.46% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $65,008 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.46% lower than the national median of $70,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,008 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,829 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,170
2025 BLS Actual
$63,280
2026 Current Est.
$65,008
2019–2027 Growth
+12.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,008 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,782 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.9% from $59,170 (2019) to $63,280 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,612 (12.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $32,052 – $50,810 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,810 – $65,008 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,008 – $77,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,006 – $80,068 |
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 Hot Springs
With around 60 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area, the job market for this profession demonstrates a stable presence. The cost-of-living index in Hot Springs sits at 85.73, indicating that residents generally experience a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly when factoring in productivity expectations, which significantly influence earnings. The gap between low and high salaries can be attributed to factors such as work settings, with hospital roles typically offering greater pay compared to outpatient or skilled nursing facilities, especially following the 15% Medicare cuts. For those in the Hot Springs market aiming to maximize their pay, aligning with employers that prioritize efficient patient throughput while providing specialized services can lead to increased job satisfaction and financial reward. Additionally, pursuing advanced training or pathways to transition to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) can enhance career prospects in this evolving field.
More salary data for Hot Springs, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,280 for physical therapist assistantsin the Hot Springs 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