Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Russellville, AR: $62,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Russellville, AR earns a median $62,828/year (≈ $30.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Russellville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $72,299 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a career as a physical therapist assistant in Russellville, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $62,828. This figure is slightly below the national median of $70,247, indicating the local market's unique dynamics. Physical therapist assistant pay in Russellville ranges from $47,679 at the 10th percentile to $80,959 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations in experience and workplace settings. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, which have been adjusted for regional cost differences. With only six physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area, there remains a structured demand for skilled professionals, although competition might be influenced by the localized cost of living.
About the Russellville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,679 | $22.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,138 | $27.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,828 | $30.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,194 | $34.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,959 | $38.92 |
Median Salary Position
10.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Russellville
In Russellville, AR, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,280 (2026 est.). At $62,828, the local median is 10.56% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Russellville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Russellville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Russellville median: $62,828/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Russellville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $65,039 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.56% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Russellville, AR earn a median of $62,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.56% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $65,039.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Russellville 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.
Russellville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $62,828 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,299 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,581
2025 BLS Actual
$61,158
2026 Current Est.
$62,828
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Russellville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,581 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,457 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,718 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,312 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,032 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,158 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,543 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Russellville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,581 (2019) to $61,158 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,543 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,962 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Russellville 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) | $47,679 – $57,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,138 – $62,828 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,828 – $72,194 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,194 – $80,959 |
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 Russellville
The cost of living index in Russellville is notably lower at 86.9, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries earned in the area. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities typically lead in compensation for their physical therapist assistants, provided they can meet productivity expectations which are often more demanding in these settings. Variations in pay can be driven by numerous factors, including the impact of the 15% Medicare cut, which has reduced reimbursement rates for PTA services. These cuts have particularly affected outpatient and skilled nursing facility positions, emphasizing the importance of productivity and effective supervision. To maximize physical therapist assistant salary in Russellville AR, professionals are advised to seek positions in higher-paying environments and consider additional certifications or specialties to bolster their value in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Russellville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Russellville?
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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 $61,158 for physical therapist assistantsin the Russellville 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 Russellville 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