Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Salina, KS: $61,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Salina, KS earns a median $61,787/year (≈ $29.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $67,972 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist assistant in Salina, Kansas, can anticipate a median salary of $61,787, reflecting the ongoing adjustments in healthcare reimbursement rates. The salary trajectory for this role ranges from $47,012 at the lower end to as high as $75,955 for those at the top percentiles. Local estimates are informed by state-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, alongside regional cost adjustments, highlighting a compensation structure influenced by the shift in practice settings. With changes in Medicare reimbursement, especially the 15% cut impacting service delivery in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the landscape has become more challenging for many PTAs in Salina. As employment is concentrated in outpatient care, those adapting to these market changes may find themselves better positioned in this evolving job market.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,012 | $22.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,282 | $27.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,787 | $29.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,766 | $33.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,955 | $36.52 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,943 (2026 est.). At $61,787, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be above the median
How Salina Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Salina median: $61,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $63,830 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.04% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Salina, KS earn a median of $61,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $63,830.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina 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.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,787 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,972 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,710
2025 BLS Actual
$60,145
2026 Current Est.
$61,787
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,572 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,812 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,363 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,775 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,145 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,474 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,710 (2019) to $60,145 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,474 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,764 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $47,012 – $56,282 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,282 – $61,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,787 – $68,766 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,766 – $75,955 |
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 Salina
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Salina currently employs just 11 professionals, creating a relatively niche environment that can influence pay scales. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, salaries may stretch further compared to many larger cities, thereby affecting take-home purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the most generous compensation, particularly when contracts with chains emphasize performance and efficiency. Factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and supervisory roles contribute to the variance in pay rates across different employment environments. PTAs seeking to maximize their earnings should consider skills enhancement, including pursuing further education or specialized training, to take advantage of higher-paying opportunities in Salina. Additionally, being flexible with weekend or PRN shifts often leads to better financial rewards in this tight labor market.
More salary data for Salina, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Salina?
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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 $60,145 for physical therapist assistantsin the Salina 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 Salina 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