Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Arvada, CO: $68,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Arvada, CO earns a median $68,520/year (≈ $32.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Arvada's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $65,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Arvada, Colorado, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $68,520, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247. Their salaries will range from $49,365 at the 10th percentile to $88,294 at the 90th percentile. This pricing structure reflects adjustments based on local cost-of-living factors, with Arvada exhibiting a cost-of-living index of 105, indicating an above-average economic environment compared to the national baseline. The shifts in the job market, particularly in response to the Medicare cuts impacting outpatient versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) settings, have significantly influenced compensation levels in this field. Those seeking to work in Arvada can find opportunities across a mix of outpatient clinics and rehabilitation facilities.
About the Arvada Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,365 | $23.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,703 | $29.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,520 | $32.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,035 | $37.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,294 | $42.45 |
Median Salary Position
2.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arvada
In Arvada, CO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,929 (2026 est.). At $68,520, the local median is 2.46% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Arvada: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arvada Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Arvada median: $68,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arvada Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $66,914 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -2.46% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Arvada, CO earn a median of $68,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.46% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.40% above the Colorado state average of $66,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arvada has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arvada, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,520 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,257 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,345
2025 BLS Actual
$66,699
2026 Current Est.
$68,520
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Arvada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,345 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,301 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,676 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,809 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,390 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arvada metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $57,345 (2019) to $66,699 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,390 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,045 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arvada 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) | $49,365 – $60,703 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,703 – $68,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,520 – $78,035 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,035 – $88,294 |
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 Arvada
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Arvada is currently strong, with approximately 31 professionals employed in the area. However, the higher cost of living can impact take-home earnings despite robust salary figures. Salary variations are noticeable among different employer types. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities tend to offer the most competitive pay, while SNFs have struggled to adjust following the 15% Medicare cut, resulting in tighter budgets and lower compensation rates. The spread between lower and higher salaries reflects several factors, including productivity expectations, weekend work incentives, and supervision requirements mandated by state law and Medicare regulations. For aspiring PTAs looking to maximize salary potential in Arvada, pursuing specialized training, gaining experience in high-paying environments, and considering contract positions may be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Arvada, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Arvada, CO in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Arvada?
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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 $66,699 for physical therapist assistantsin the Arvada 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 Arvada 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