Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wichita, KS: $64,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Wichita, KS earns a median $64,617/year (≈ $31.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $72,647 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Wichita, Kansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,617. This figure positions the local pay about 8.01% lower than the national median of $70,247, reflecting the unique structure of the healthcare landscape in the region. The expected salary range for this role in Wichita spans from $53,574 at the 10th percentile to $79,277 at the 90th percentile, as indicated by the official BLS OEWS surveys. The impact of the Medicare cuts has significantly altered the operational model for many providers, leading to a notable divide between outpatient care and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Consequently, understanding these dynamics can offer insights for prospective physical therapist assistants as they navigate their career paths in Wichita's evolving market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,574 | $25.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,857 | $29.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,617 | $31.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,143 | $36.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,277 | $38.11 |
Median Salary Position
8.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,703 (2026 est.). At $64,617, the local median is 8.01% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Wichita median: $64,617/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $63,851 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.01% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Wichita, KS earn a median of $64,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.20% above the Kansas state average of $63,851.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $64,617 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,647 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,760
2025 BLS Actual
$62,900
2026 Current Est.
$64,617
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,381 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 0.2% from $62,760 (2019) to $62,900 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,621 (5.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $53,574 – $60,857 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,857 – $64,617 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,617 – $76,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,143 – $79,277 |
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 Wichita
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Wichita remains robust, with approximately 230 professionals employed in the field. The cost of living index stands at 88.946, which is below the national average and allows for a comparatively higher purchasing power among local salaries. Employers in settings such as outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest compensation, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehab and home health agencies. The wage variations are influenced by multiple factors, including work setting, productivity expectations, and the lingering effects of the 15% Medicare cut on reimbursement rates. To maximize pay in Wichita, professionals should consider focusing on outpatient roles or seeking additional certifications that can enhance their skill set. Building relationships with employers who emphasize quality care and have high reimbursement rates can further provide leverage in salary negotiations and career advancement.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Wichita, KS in 2026?
Is Wichita, KS a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Wichita?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Wichita?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Wichita?
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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 $62,900 for physical therapist assistantsin the Wichita 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