Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Gainesville, GA: $66,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Gainesville, GA earns a median $66,816/year (≈ $32.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $69,049 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Gainesville, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $66,816, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this occupation extends from $50,389 at the 10th percentile to $84,495 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a market where earnings can significantly vary based on experience and the demands of the specific role. These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrate how productivity expectations and the average number of patient visits per day influence compensation levels for physical therapist assistants. With local hiring projections showing steady demand in Gainesville's healthcare sector, understanding these dynamics is crucial for job seekers in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,389 | $24.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,077 | $28.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,816 | $32.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,845 | $37.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,495 | $40.62 |
Median Salary Position
4.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, GA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,106 (2026 est.). At $66,816, the local median is 4.88% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gainesville Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $66,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $68,110 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.88% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Gainesville, GA earn a median of $66,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.88% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.90% below the Georgia state average of $68,110.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 3.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 96.766 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,049 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,280
2025 BLS Actual
$65,040
2026 Current Est.
$66,816
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,640 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 19.8% from $54,280 (2019) to $65,040 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,640 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,360 (26.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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) | $50,389 – $60,077 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,077 – $66,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,816 – $78,845 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,845 – $84,495 |
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 Gainesville
Across Gainesville, the job market for physical therapist assistants is shaped by a workforce of approximately 60 professionals. The cost-of-living index stands at 96.766, indicating that everyday expenses in the area are lower than the national average, which can enhance purchasing power for local salaries. Among the various employment settings, outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer higher pay, followed by skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, especially in light of recent changes to Medicare reimbursement policies that have curtailed earnings in heavily reliant sectors. Factors like setting, productivity expectations, and additional pay for weekend shifts can create a significant wage gap. For those seeking to optimize their pay in this specific market, looking for positions in well-funded outpatient practices and actively pursuing opportunities for additional certifications or specializations may prove beneficial.
More salary data for Gainesville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Gainesville, GA in 2026?
Is Gainesville, GA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Gainesville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Gainesville?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Gainesville?
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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 $65,040 for physical therapist assistantsin the Gainesville 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