Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Aurora, CO: $65,630 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Aurora, CO earns a median $65,630/year (≈ $31.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $62,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Aurora, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $65,630, which is slightly lower than the national average of $70,247 for the same year. Salaries in this field range from $44,179 at the entry level (P10) to as high as $89,021 for the top earners (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for regional cost of living. The compensation for physical therapist assistants in Aurora reflects local productivity expectations, where visit frequency per day can significantly influence overall earnings, making the job market competitive yet rewarding.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,179 | $21.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,960 | $26.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,630 | $31.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,984 | $37.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,021 | $42.80 |
Median Salary Position
6.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, CO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,842 (2026 est.). At $65,630, the local median is 6.57% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Aurora median: $65,630/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $66,901 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.57% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Aurora, CO earn a median of $65,630 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.57% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.90% below the Colorado state average of $66,901.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,630 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,505 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,926
2025 BLS Actual
$63,886
2026 Current Est.
$65,630
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,926 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,159 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,645 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,869 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,011 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,886 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,630 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,422 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,926 (2019) to $63,886 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,422 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,496 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $44,179 – $55,960 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,960 – $65,630 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,630 – $76,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,984 – $89,021 |
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 Aurora
With only 54 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the area, Aurora's job market remains somewhat specialized. The cost of living index is 105, meaning the expenses are above the national average, impacting take-home salaries for healthcare professionals. Employers that tend to offer higher physical therapist assistant pay in Aurora CO include outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, where productivity standards and patient volume directly affect compensation. Factors such as weekend shifts, PRN roles, and supervision responsibilities contribute to the variation in pay. Additionally, the recent Medicare cuts have created financial pressure on settings like skilled nursing and outpatient clinics, often leading to decreased wages. For those looking to maximize their earnings, seeking positions in high-demand environments and exploring specialties can offer an advantage in a fluctuating marketplace.
More salary data for Aurora, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Aurora, CO in 2026?
Is Aurora, CO a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Aurora?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Aurora?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Aurora?
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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 $63,886 for physical therapist assistantsin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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