Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Atlanta, GA: $76,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Atlanta, GA earns a median $76,770/year (≈ $36.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $76,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, GA, the average earnings for physical therapist assistants reflect a strong job market, currently projected to reach a median annual salary of $76,770 by 2026. With a salary range stretching from $44,585 at the lower tenth percentile to $92,056 at the upper ninetieth percentile, physical therapist assistants in the area can find lucrative opportunities amid the structural changes in healthcare post-Medicare cuts. The impact of these adjustments is particularly felt within outpatient services versus skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), where competition and productivity expectations have shifted dynamics. These salary estimates are derived from the most recent surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), indicating both the value and demand for this role in Atlanta’s healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,585 | $21.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,138 | $28.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,056 | $44.26 |
Median Salary Position
9.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,471 (2026 est.). At $76,770, the local median is 9.29% above the national median of $70,247.
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How Atlanta Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $76,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $68,119 | +12.70% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.29% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $76,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.29% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 12.70% above the Georgia state average of $68,119.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,770 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,725 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,820
2025 BLS Actual
$74,730
2026 Current Est.
$76,770
2019–2027 Growth
+38.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 31.5% from $56,820 (2019) to $74,730 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,046 (38.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $44,585 – $60,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,138 – $76,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,770 – $83,550 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,550 – $92,056 |
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 Atlanta
Analyzing the local job market, about 1,370 physical therapist assistants are currently employed in the Atlanta area, providing a robust framework for career opportunities. The cost of living index at 100.058 suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must also accommodate for the slight uptick in living expenses compared to the national average. Employers that typically offer the highest compensation include outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab settings, where the demand for efficient care delivery drives pay. The variance in salaries can largely be attributed to different practice environments; positions in skilled nursing facilities tend to pay less, a direct consequence of the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements impacting outpatient services. For aspiring physical therapist assistants looking to maximize their pay in Atlanta, focusing on outpatient clinics and navigating supervisory demands can help enhance earning potential. Further education pathways, like PTA-to-DPT programs, may also provide beneficial routes to higher salaries.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Atlanta, GA in 2026?
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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 $74,730 for physical therapist assistantsin the Atlanta 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