Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Little Rock, AR: $65,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Little Rock, AR earns a median $65,860/year (≈ $31.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $73,699 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projections for physical therapist assistant salary in Little Rock are set at a median of $65,860. This figure reflects a competitive market compensation when compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range is quite extensive, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $32,072 (P10) and reaching as high as $94,635 (P90). These estimates are derived from the latest available Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, which indicates that local job dynamics are responsive to the broader healthcare landscape. The aftermath of the Medicare cuts has led to an evolving structure in outpatient versus skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), impacting salary potentials for physical therapist assistants in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,072 | $15.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,688 | $17.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,860 | $31.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,444 | $39.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,635 | $45.50 |
Median Salary Position
6.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,563 (2026 est.). At $65,860, the local median is 6.25% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be above the median
How Little Rock Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $65,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $65,015 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.25% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $65,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% above the Arkansas state average of $65,015.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,860 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,699 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,100
2025 BLS Actual
$64,110
2026 Current Est.
$65,860
2019–2027 Growth
+3.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew -1.5% from $65,100 (2019) to $64,110 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,558 (3.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $32,072 – $35,688 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,688 – $65,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,860 – $81,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,444 – $94,635 |
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 Little Rock
With around 460 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Little Rock, the local job market remains robust, especially considering the cost of living index, which stands at 89.364, indicating lower expenses compared to the national average. This affordability enhances take-home pay and purchasing power for those in the profession. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the highest salaries, while settings like SNFs face increased competition and pressure due to both the Medicare cut's effects and productivity expectations. On the other hand, pediatric clinics and school therapy programs may serve as more stable environments albeit with lower pay scales. To maximize pay, aspiring physical therapist assistants should consider targeting outpatient facilities, pursuing further education to bridge into DPT roles, or seeking employment in higher-paying sectors while remaining aware of the supervision requirements mandated by state law and Medicare regulations.
More salary data for Little Rock, 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 $64,110 for physical therapist assistantsin the Little Rock 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