Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Dover, DE: $77,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Dover, DE earns a median $77,643/year (≈ $37.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $79,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% above the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Dover, Delaware, can anticipate a median annual salary of $77,643, which is notably higher than the national median of $70,247, translating to a 10.53% increase. The local salary range spans from $37,188 at the lower end (P10) to $92,745 at the high end (P90), reflecting a significant variation based on factors like experience, work environment, and responsibilities. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, highlighting that productivity expectations, particularly the number of patient visits per day, greatly influence compensation in this field. As the demand for skilled physical therapist assistants continues to grow along with Dover's healthcare needs, staying informed about potential earnings can empower individuals in their career decisions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,188 | $17.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,292 | $30.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,643 | $37.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,112 | $38.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,745 | $44.60 |
Median Salary Position
10.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,557 (2026 est.). At $77,643, the local median is 10.53% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be above the median
How Dover Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Dover median: $77,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $71,429 | +8.70% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +10.53% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Dover, DE earn a median of $77,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.53% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 8.70% above the Delaware state average of $71,429.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $77,643 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,628 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,600
2025 BLS Actual
$75,580
2026 Current Est.
$77,643
2019–2027 Growth
+11.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dover (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 | $66,063 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,763 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 5.6% from $71,600 (2019) to $75,580 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,763 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,163 (11.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $37,188 – $63,292 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,292 – $77,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,643 – $79,112 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,112 – $92,745 |
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 Dover
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The competitive job market in Dover is underscored by the employment of about 70 physical therapist assistants in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 97.507, the purchasing power for PTAs can be considered advantageous compared to the national average. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages, while factors like weekend shifts, PRN opportunities, and supervisory duties further affect compensation. It is crucial for practitioners in Dover to maximize their pay by seeking employment in higher-paying settings and gaining specialized skills, especially given the ongoing 15% Medicare cut's impact on reimbursement for PTA services. Understanding the local market dynamics can help PTAs strategically navigate their career paths, including options such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs for those looking to advance their qualifications and increase their earning potential.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Dover?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Dover?
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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 $75,580 for physical therapist assistantsin the Dover 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