Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wheat Ridge, CO: $64,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Wheat Ridge, CO earns a median $64,389/year (≈ $30.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Wheat Ridge's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $61,323 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $64,389 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. This figure, while competitive, reflects a local market that is slightly below the national median of $70,247 for the same year. The salaries for this role in Wheat Ridge display a notable variation, with the lowest ten percent of earners receiving around $48,397, while the upper echelon can make as much as $82,422 annually. These salary estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, take into account the regional cost of living and underscore the productivity expectations that impact compensation. The ability to manage a higher volume of patient visits per day often correlates with better pay and can shape an assistant's overall earnings.
About the Wheat Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,397 | $23.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,213 | $27.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,389 | $30.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,653 | $35.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,422 | $39.62 |
Median Salary Position
8.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheat Ridge
In Wheat Ridge, CO, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,025 (2026 est.). At $64,389, the local median is 8.34% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheat Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheat Ridge Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Wheat Ridge median: $64,389/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheat Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $66,933 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.34% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Wheat Ridge, CO earn a median of $64,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.34% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.80% below the Colorado state average of $66,933.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheat Ridge has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheat Ridge, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,389 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,323 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,888
2025 BLS Actual
$62,678
2026 Current Est.
$64,389
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wheat Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,888 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,786 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,078 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,536 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,737 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,678 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheat Ridge metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,888 (2019) to $62,678 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,259 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheat Ridge 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) | $48,397 – $58,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,213 – $64,389 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,389 – $73,653 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,653 – $82,422 |
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 Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge's job market for physical therapist assistants includes just eight currently employed professionals, indicating a tight labor pool that could impact pay dynamics. With a cost-of-living index of 105, living expenses are somewhat heightened, which poses a challenge for take-home purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest salaries in Wheat Ridge, especially in comparison to skilled nursing facilities, where recent Medicare cuts have reduced PTAs' earning potential. Factors such as weekend and PRN premiums, productivity expectations, and supervisory requirements contribute to the range of pay. To maximize earnings, physical therapist assistants should focus on building expertise in settings that prioritize patient throughput and consider pursuing bridge pathways to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which can enhance career prospects and salary potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Wheat Ridge, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Wheat Ridge, CO in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Wheat Ridge?
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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 $62,678 for physical therapist assistantsin the Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge 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