Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Delaware: $75,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $75,247/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,989 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dover ($75,580), Wilmington ($72,762), Newark ($69,094).
As of 2026, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Delaware is projected to be $75,247, surpassing the national median of $70,247 by 7.1%. Dover leads the state with the highest salary at $77,643, while Middletown has the lowest at $66,007, creating a salary gap of $11,636. Factors contributing to this difference may include cost of living, demand, and availability of jobs in specific regions. Licensing requirements in Delaware necessitate state certification, alongside adherence to scope of practice laws which dictate the roles and responsibilities of assistants. The steady growth rate for employment is projected at 2.73% annually, suggesting ongoing demand for physical therapy services, influenced by an aging population and increased focus on rehabilitation. With a total of 102 physical therapist assistants employed across the state, key cities also include Wilmington at $74,748, Newark at $70,980, Bear at $68,462, and Smyrna at $66,185. These projections indicate that while salaries vary across the state, the overall outlook for physical therapist assistants remains positive, driven by both demographic trends and healthcare needs.
Delaware Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $37,188 (lowest entry-level) to $94,730 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware physical therapist assistants earn 7.12% more than the national median (+$5,000/year difference).
Delaware Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Delaware range from $41,368 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,814 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,247. The Delaware median is $5,000 above the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $36.18/hr. Approximately 102 physical therapist assistants are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,600
2025 BLS Actual
$73,247
2026 Current Est.
$75,247
2019–2027 Growth
+8.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,722 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,247 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,301 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 2.3% from $71,600 (2019) to $73,247 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,301 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,701 (7.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $66,007 |
| Smyrna | $66,185 |
| Bear | $68,462 |
| Newark | $70,980 |
| Wilmington | $74,748 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $77,643 | 97.507 | $79,628 |
| Wilmington | $74,748 | 101.7 | $73,499 |
| Newark | $70,980 | 101.7 | $69,794 |
| Bear | $68,462 | 101.7 | $67,318 |
| Smyrna | $66,185 | 101.7 | $65,079 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,368 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,247 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $90,814 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover | $77,643 |
| 2 | Wilmington | $74,748 |
| 3 | Newark | $70,980 |
| 4 | Bear | $68,462 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $66,185 |
| 6 | Middletown | $66,007 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Delaware cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Delaware?
How does Delaware physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Delaware?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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