Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Colorado: $65,892 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $65,892/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,754 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Arvada ($66,699), Thornton ($66,162), Pueblo ($65,970).
In Colorado, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants is projected to be $65,892 in 2026, which is approximately 6.2% lower than the national median of $70,247. The range of salaries across the state highlights significant disparities among cities, with Arvada offering the highest average at $68,520 and Boulder at the lower end with $60,868. This salary gap may be influenced by factors such as the cost of living, local job demand, and specific healthcare needs within these communities. Colorado has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that shape the profession's dynamics, which may vary by locality. The demand for physical therapist assistants is expected to be driven by an aging population and an increasing focus on rehabilitation services. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, the job market for physical therapist assistants in the state is stable, indicating a steady need for qualified professionals. Top cities for employment in this field include Arvada, Thornton at $67,968, Pueblo at $67,771, Centennial at $67,718, and Colorado Springs at $67,411, reflecting various opportunities across the metro areas. Overall, the landscape for physical therapist assistants in Colorado appears favorable, with solid job prospects across the state.
Colorado Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $31,641 (lowest entry-level) to $103,449 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado physical therapist assistants earn 6.2% less than the national median ($-4,355/year difference).
Colorado Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Colorado range from $48,082 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,325 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,892. The Colorado median is $4,355 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $31.68/hr. Approximately 1,459 physical therapist assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,136
2025 BLS Actual
$64,141
2026 Current Est.
$65,892
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,136 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,482 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,363 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,004 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,987 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,141 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,892 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 14.3% from $56,136 (2019) to $64,141 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,554 (20.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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 Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo | $67,771 | 91.762 | $73,855 |
| Grand Junction | $66,918 | 95.476 | $70,089 |
| Colorado Springs | $67,411 | 100.707 | $66,938 |
| Arvada | $68,520 | 105 | $65,257 |
| Thornton | $67,968 | 105 | $64,731 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,082 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,892 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $90,325 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arvada | $68,520 |
| 2 | Thornton | $67,968 |
| 3 | Pueblo | $67,771 |
| 4 | Centennial | $67,718 |
| 5 | Colorado Springs | $67,411 |
| 6 | Westminster | $67,293 |
| 7 | Denver | $67,103 |
| 8 | Lakewood | $66,969 |
| 9 | Grand Junction | $66,918 |
| 10 | Parker | $66,332 |
| 11 | Erie | $66,212 |
| 12 | Windsor | $66,045 |
| 13 | Castle Rock | $65,918 |
| 14 | Broomfield | $65,897 |
| 15 | Longmont | $65,876 |
| 16 | Aurora | $65,630 |
| 17 | Englewood | $65,370 |
| 18 | Commerce City | $64,916 |
| 19 | Lafayette | $64,763 |
| 20 | Wheat Ridge | $64,389 |
| 21 | Brighton | $63,786 |
| 22 | Littleton | $63,573 |
| 23 | Fountain | $63,537 |
| 24 | Northglenn | $63,475 |
| 25 | Steamboat Springs | $63,102 |
| 26 | Durango | $62,704 |
| 27 | Fort Collins | $62,634 |
| 28 | Louisville | $62,338 |
| 29 | Evans | $61,975 |
| 30 | Golden | $61,593 |
| 31 | Greeley | $61,412 |
| 32 | Loveland | $61,134 |
| 33 | Boulder | $60,868 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Colorado cities.
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 Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Colorado?
How does Colorado physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Colorado?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado 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 Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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