Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Middletown, DE: $66,007 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Middletown, DE earns a median $66,007/year (≈ $31.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $64,904 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in Middletown, Delaware, reaches a median of $66,007, which falls slightly below the national median of $70,247. Pay for the profession in this area ranges from $48,132 at the 10th percentile to highs of $80,758 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and job settings. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors in the Middletown area. Understanding the productivity expectations and visits-per-day metrics can significantly influence compensation structures for physical therapist assistants, highlighting the importance of effective patient engagement in optimizing earnings in this job market.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,132 | $23.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,392 | $28.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,007 | $31.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,633 | $35.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,758 | $38.82 |
Median Salary Position
6.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, DE, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,626 (2026 est.). At $66,007, the local median is 6.04% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be above the median
How Middletown Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Middletown median: $66,007/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $71,436 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.04% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Middletown, DE earn a median of $66,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.04% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $71,436.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,007 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,904 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,242
2025 BLS Actual
$64,253
2026 Current Est.
$66,007
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,242 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,163 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,982 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,213 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,896 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,253 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,007 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $55,242 (2019) to $64,253 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,567 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $48,132 – $58,392 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,392 – $66,007 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,007 – $73,633 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,633 – $80,758 |
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 Middletown
Currently, there are six physical therapist assistants working in Middletown, DE, a number that represents a tight-knit job market. With a cost-of-living index of 101.7, the purchasing power may feel tighter than in other regions, impacting overall livability despite a solid salary average. Employers offering the most competitive physical therapist assistant pay in Middletown DE include outpatient orthopedic clinics, rehabilitation programs in skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. Factors influencing the variance in pay encompass the setting of employment, with hospitals often presenting higher wages than outpatient clinics, but the Medicare cuts of 15% to PTA services remain a critical point of concern, especially in Medicare-reliant facilities. To maximize compensation, aspiring PTAs might consider focusing on outpatient settings, seeking positions that offer weekend or PRN work, which often come with premium pay, and pursuing additional certifications or bridge programs towards becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, enabling higher earning potential in the long term.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Middletown?
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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 $64,253 for physical therapist assistantsin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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