Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Garden City, KS: $63,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Garden City, KS earns a median $63,283/year (≈ $30.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Garden City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $69,618 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden City, Kansas, the projected median annual salary for a physical therapist assistant stands at $63,283, which represents a 9.91% lower figure when compared to the national median of $70,247. This salary range varies notably across different percentiles, with figures stretching from $45,386 at the 10th percentile to $78,354 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, rooted in data from 2025 and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight the evolving dynamics of the job market, particularly after recent Medicare cuts that have restructured compensation in outpatient settings and skilled nursing facilities. As these changes continue to shape opportunities within the field, Garden City presents a unique environment for physical therapist assistants seeking to advance their careers.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,386 | $21.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,654 | $26.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,283 | $30.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,279 | $34.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,354 | $37.67 |
Median Salary Position
9.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
In Garden City, KS, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,968 (2026 est.). At $63,283, the local median is 9.91% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden City: You'd be above the median
How Garden City Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Garden City median: $63,283/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $63,857 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -9.91% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Garden City, KS earn a median of $63,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $63,857.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $63,283 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,618 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,962
2025 BLS Actual
$61,601
2026 Current Est.
$63,283
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,962 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,845 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,115 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,727 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,052 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,601 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,010 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,962 (2019) to $61,601 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,010 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,048 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden City 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) | $45,386 – $55,654 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,654 – $63,283 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,283 – $72,279 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,279 – $78,354 |
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 Garden City
Currently, the local job market has just six physical therapist assistants employed in the area, providing a narrow but focused selection of roles. With a cost of living index of 90.9, the take-home purchasing power for PTAs in Garden City allows for a comfortable, albeit modest, lifestyle compared to national averages. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities typically offer higher compensation than skilled nursing facilities, which have faced reduced budgets due to the Medicare reimbursement cuts. Factors contributing to the disparities in pay include the setting in which PTAs work, productivity expectations, and the requirement for supervision under state law and Medicare regulations. To maximize earnings, aspiring PTAs in Garden City might consider specializing in areas with higher demand, pursuing additional certifications, or taking on PRN roles that often come with weekend premiums. Such strategies can enhance flexibility while boosting overall pay.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Garden City, KS in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Garden City?
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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 $61,601 for physical therapist assistantsin the Garden City 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 Garden City 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