Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Jacksonville, AR: $64,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Jacksonville, AR earns a median $64,538/year (≈ $31.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $74,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Jacksonville, Arkansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,538. This figure reflects a notable determination of local earnings, with a salary range spanning from $46,542 at the 10th percentile to $82,583 at the 90th percentile. The figures presented are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living considerations. When compared to the national median of $70,247, Jacksonville's compensation is approximately 8.13% lower. As the field evolves and the pathways for physical therapist assistants navigating toward a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) become more delineated, lifetime earnings potential also grows. This trend is especially relevant in Jacksonville's job market, where opportunities may emerge as local employers offer competitive salaries to retain skilled professionals.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,542 | $22.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,895 | $27.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,538 | $31.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,805 | $35.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,583 | $39.71 |
Median Salary Position
8.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, AR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,041 (2026 est.). At $64,538, the local median is 8.13% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be above the median
How Jacksonville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $64,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $64,993 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.13% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Jacksonville, AR earn a median of $64,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.13% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% below the Arkansas state average of $64,993.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,538 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,267 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,012
2025 BLS Actual
$62,823
2026 Current Est.
$64,538
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,012 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,913 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,208 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,669 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,872 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,312 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,823 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,300 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,012 (2019) to $62,823 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,300 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,288 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $46,542 – $56,895 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,895 – $64,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,538 – $73,805 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,805 – $82,583 |
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 Jacksonville
Despite having only seven physical therapist assistants employed in the area, Jacksonville's job market is characterized by a diverse range of employers. The cost-of-living index stands at 86.9, indicating that salaries may stretch further in this market than in higher-cost areas, impacting overall take-home purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest pay for PTAs, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities, while skilled nursing facilities may offer lower wages due to challenges in Medicare reimbursement stemming from the 15% cut in funding for PTA services. This variation arises from discrepancies related to work settings, with hospitals often providing more lucrative opportunities than outpatient facilities or skilled care environments. To maximize pay, prospective PTAs in Jacksonville should consider focusing on settings that prioritize specialized services or advanced practice, as well as exploring opportunities for weekend or PRN work, which may come with additional pay premiums.
More salary data for Jacksonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Jacksonville?
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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 $62,823 for physical therapist assistantsin the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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