Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Denver, CO: $67,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Denver, CO earns a median $67,103/year (≈ $32.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $63,435 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in Denver is $67,103, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247. This figure is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data and reflects a salary range from $54,283 at the 10th percentile to $96,669 at the 90th percentile. For those exploring career pathways, bridging from a PTA to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) can significantly increase lifetime earnings, offering a strategic approach for aspiring professionals. While Denver's PTA compensation offers stability, the local job market indicates that competitive pay encourages stability and growth as the industry anticipates a 2.73% annual growth rate over the next five years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,283 | $26.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,347 | $29.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,103 | $32.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,499 | $38.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,669 | $46.48 |
Median Salary Position
4.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,386 (2026 est.). At $67,103, the local median is 4.48% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Denver median: $67,103/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $66,903 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.48% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Denver, CO earn a median of $67,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.48% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.30% above the Colorado state average of $66,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,103 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,435 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,610
2025 BLS Actual
$65,320
2026 Current Est.
$67,103
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,935 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 13.4% from $57,610 (2019) to $65,320 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,935 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,325 (19.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $54,283 – $62,347 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,347 – $67,103 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,103 – $80,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,499 – $96,669 |
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 Denver
Looking at the local job market, there are currently 590 physical therapist assistants employed in the Denver area. The cost of living index at 105.782 indicates an above-average living expense, which can affect take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to a range of factors, including productivity expectations and supervision requirements, with more lucrative opportunities typically found in fast-paced outpatient environments. With the recent 15% Medicare cut impacting PTA services—especially in settings reliant on Medicare reimbursement—PTAs may find greater financial rewards by focusing on outpatient roles or considering PRN positions to maximize flexibility. Understanding these factors will equip physical therapist assistants in Denver, CO, to make informed career choices that optimize their pay.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 $65,320 for physical therapist assistantsin the Denver 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