Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kansas: $64,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $64,392/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,838 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($65,997), Topeka ($64,250), Overland Park ($63,173).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Kansas is projected to be $64,392, which is approximately 8.3% lower than the national median of $70,247. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with the highest-paying city being Kansas City at $67,799 and the lowest being Emporia at $58,950, indicating a difference of $8,849. This variation can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the availability of positions in urban versus rural areas. Kansas requires physical therapist assistants to meet specific state licensing requirements, and practitioners must adhere to the scope of practice laws that govern their work. The demand for physical therapy services in Kansas is influenced by the aging population and an increasing emphasis on rehabilitation services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.73% for employment in this field. With a total of 663 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the state, major cities like Topeka ($66,004), Overland Park ($64,898), Wichita ($64,617), and Lawrence ($64,568) reflect strong local job markets. As demand continues to grow, opportunities for skilled professionals are expected to remain stable in the coming years.
Kansas Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $42,738 (lowest entry-level) to $89,251 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas physical therapist assistants earn 8.33% less than the national median ($-5,855/year difference).
Kansas Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Kansas range from $50,484 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,167 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,392. The Kansas median is $5,855 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $30.96/hr. Approximately 663 physical therapist assistants are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,305
2025 BLS Actual
$62,681
2026 Current Est.
$64,392
2019–2027 Growth
+9.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,305 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,296 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,951 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,404 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,842 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,681 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,150 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 3.9% from $60,305 (2019) to $62,681 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,150 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,845 (9.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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 Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $58,950 |
| Gardner | $59,214 |
| Liberal | $59,555 |
| Hays | $59,785 |
| Prairie Village | $59,962 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $67,799 | 90.9 | $74,586 |
| Topeka | $66,004 | 88.82 | $74,312 |
| Wichita | $64,617 | 88.946 | $72,647 |
| Overland Park | $64,898 | 90.9 | $71,395 |
| Lawrence | $64,568 | 90.9 | $71,032 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,484 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,392 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,167 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $67,799 |
| 2 | Topeka | $66,004 |
| 3 | Overland Park | $64,898 |
| 4 | Wichita | $64,617 |
| 5 | Lawrence | $64,568 |
| 6 | Olathe | $64,072 |
| 7 | Lenexa | $63,916 |
| 8 | Garden City | $63,283 |
| 9 | Derby | $62,966 |
| 10 | Hutchinson | $62,466 |
| 11 | Leavenworth | $62,446 |
| 12 | Shawnee | $62,247 |
| 13 | Manhattan | $61,854 |
| 14 | Salina | $61,787 |
| 15 | Leawood | $61,445 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $60,409 |
| 17 | Junction City | $60,217 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $59,962 |
| 19 | Hays | $59,785 |
| 20 | Liberal | $59,555 |
| 21 | Gardner | $59,214 |
| 22 | Emporia | $58,950 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
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 Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Kansas?
How does Kansas physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Kansas?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas 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 Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 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, 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