Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Grand Junction, CO: $66,918 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Grand Junction, CO earns a median $66,918/year (≈ $32.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Grand Junction's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $70,089 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Junction, Colorado, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) can expect a median annual salary of $66,918 as of 2026, marking a slight decrease of 4.74% compared to the national median of $70,247. The earning potential for PTAs in this region ranges from $49,259 at the 10th percentile to $79,708 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a degree of variance based on experience, workplace setting, and additional qualifications. This data, derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlights the local job market dynamics influenced by the state of healthcare in Colorado. Notably, the transition many PTAs take towards becoming Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, facilitating access to more advanced roles and higher compensation in the evolving landscape of physical therapy services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,259 | $23.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,426 | $27.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,918 | $32.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,393 | $37.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,708 | $38.32 |
Median Salary Position
4.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Junction
In Grand Junction, CO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,449 (2026 est.). At $66,918, the local median is 4.74% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Junction: You'd be above the median
How Grand Junction Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Grand Junction median: $66,918/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Junction Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.74% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Grand Junction, CO earn a median of $66,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.74% lower than the national median of $70,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Junction has a cost of living 4.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Junction, CO has a cost-of-living index of 95.476 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,918 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,089 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,420
2025 BLS Actual
$65,140
2026 Current Est.
$66,918
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Grand Junction (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,918 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Junction metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.1% from $61,420 (2019) to $65,140 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,325 (11.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Junction 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) | $49,259 – $57,426 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,426 – $66,918 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,918 – $78,393 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,393 – $79,708 |
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 Grand Junction
Grand Junction's job market for physical therapist assistants demonstrates a modest demand with approximately 30 PTAs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, at 95.476, suggests that the expenses in Grand Junction are below the national average, which can positively influence the purchasing power of local PTAs. Among various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics—both chain establishments and private practices—tend to offer the most competitive pay. Factors that contribute to the pay disparities include differences in productivity expectations, workplace environment, and the impact of state laws governing supervision requirements. Additionally, the recent 15% cut to Medicare reimbursement for PTA-provided services has notably affected earnings in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. For PTAs looking to optimize their salaries in Grand Junction, seeking employment in higher-paying outpatient positions and pursuing further education through the PTA-to-DPT bridge can be practical strategies to enhance their career trajectories.
More salary data for Grand Junction, 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 $65,140 for physical therapist assistantsin the Grand Junction 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