Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $62,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $62,634/year (≈ $30.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $61,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $62,634 for physical therapist assistants in Fort Collins, Colorado, this figure illustrates a competitive compensation landscape, particularly against the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this role varies significantly, extending from $52,351 at the 10th percentile to $90,711 at the 90th percentile. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026 indicate that while local pay may not meet national averages, it maintains a stable position driven by the community's demand for qualified PTAs. As those in the field explore bridge pathways to transition from PTA to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), their lifetime earning potential could rise significantly, enhancing career advancement opportunities in an evolving job market like Fort Collins.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,351 | $25.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,443 | $26.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,634 | $30.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,006 | $37.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,711 | $43.61 |
Median Salary Position
10.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,360 (2026 est.). At $62,634, the local median is 10.84% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $62,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $66,917 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.84% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $62,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.84% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.40% below the Colorado state average of $66,917.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,634 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,935 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,270
2025 BLS Actual
$60,970
2026 Current Est.
$62,634
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,293 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,344 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 29.0% from $47,270 (2019) to $60,970 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,344 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,074 (36.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $52,351 – $55,443 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,443 – $62,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,634 – $77,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,006 – $90,711 |
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 Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, the local job market for physical therapist assistants remains robust, with approximately 100 PTAs employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 101.128, slightly above the national average, which impacts the take-home purchasing power of these professionals. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer higher salaries compared to settings like skilled nursing facilities, where recent reimbursement cuts have affected pay scales. Factors influencing compensation include productivity expectations, the complexity of patient care in hospitals versus outpatient settings, and additional pay incentives for weekend or PRN shifts. For aspiring PTAs in Fort Collins, strategies to maximize earning potential include seeking positions in environments with higher reimbursement rates, pursuing specialties, and considering the benefits of additional certifications or transitioning to a DPT, given the increased financial rewards associated with higher education in the field.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Fort Collins, CO in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Fort Collins?
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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 $60,970 for physical therapist assistantsin the Fort Collins 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, 6-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