Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Durango, CO: $62,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Durango, CO earns a median $62,704/year (≈ $30.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Durango's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $59,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Durango, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $62,704, which represents a notable difference of approximately 10.74% lower than the projected national median of $70,247. Salaries in the area range from a starting point of $49,156 at the 10th percentile to as high as $78,358 at the 90th percentile, indicating potential for growth as PTAs gain experience. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect local economic conditions, including the cost of living in Durango. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, the job market for physical therapist assistants appears stable, offering a favorable outlook for those entering the field.
About the Durango Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,156 | $23.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,966 | $27.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,704 | $30.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,647 | $33.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,358 | $37.67 |
Median Salary Position
10.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durango
In Durango, CO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,202 (2026 est.). At $62,704, the local median is 10.74% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durango: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durango Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Durango median: $62,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durango Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $66,920 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.74% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Durango, CO earn a median of $62,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.74% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.30% below the Colorado state average of $66,920.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durango has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durango, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,704 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,718 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,478
2025 BLS Actual
$61,038
2026 Current Est.
$62,704
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Durango (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,478 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,352 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,611 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,968 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,038 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durango metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,478 (2019) to $61,038 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,938 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durango 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) | $49,156 – $57,966 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,966 – $62,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,704 – $68,647 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,647 – $78,358 |
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 Durango
The local job market in Durango is relatively limited, currently employing only five physical therapist assistants, which may affect job availability and competition. With a cost of living index of 105, the real purchasing power of these salaries must be taken into account; essentially, the higher living costs could impact overall financial well-being. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the most competitive salaries for PTAs, as they often can afford to pay their staff more compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. However, factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and the recent 15% Medicare cut can significantly influence wage disparities across different healthcare environments. For optimal pay in Durango, it's beneficial for PTAs to concentrate on settings that value outpatient services, and consider pathways to transition to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which can substantially increase lifetime earning potential in the long term.
More salary data for Durango, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Durango, CO in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Durango?
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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 $61,038 for physical therapist assistantsin the Durango 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 Durango 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