Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Louisiana: $68,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $68,402/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $75,750 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($74,249), New Orleans ($73,980), Slidell ($68,520).
In Louisiana, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is projected to be $68,402, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247, representing a difference of 2.6%. The highest-paying city in the state is Metairie, offering a salary of $76,276, while Sulphur has the lowest at $61,760, creating a salary gap of $14,516. This difference is largely driven by the concentration of healthcare facilities and the level of demand for rehabilitation services in urban versus rural areas. Licensing requirements in Louisiana stipulate that candidates must complete an accredited physical therapist assistant program and pass a state examination, which ensures a standard level of training across the board. Demand for physical therapist assistants is generally supported by an aging population and an increasing emphasis on rehabilitation services, contributing to a job market projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.73%. Other significant cities include New Orleans at $76,000, Slidell at $70,391, and Shreveport and Baton Rouge at $68,367 and $68,326, respectively, reflecting a varied landscape of opportunities throughout the state.
Louisiana Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $22,005 (lowest entry-level) to $104,288 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana physical therapist assistants earn 2.63% less than the national median ($-1,845/year difference).
Louisiana Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Louisiana range from $27,664 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,544 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $68,402. The Louisiana median is $1,845 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $32.89/hr. Approximately 1,469 physical therapist assistants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,487
2025 BLS Actual
$66,584
2026 Current Est.
$68,402
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,487 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,309 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,905 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,861 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,422 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,269 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 34.5% from $49,487 (2019) to $66,584 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,269 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,782 (41.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $61,760 |
| Zachary | $62,117 |
| Natchitoches | $62,414 |
| Lafayette | $62,419 |
| New Iberia | $63,270 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie | $76,276 | 90.3 | $84,470 |
| New Orleans | $76,000 | 92.597 | $82,076 |
| Shreveport | $68,367 | 84.766 | $80,654 |
| Houma | $67,268 | 85.103 | $79,043 |
| Monroe | $66,004 | 83.597 | $78,955 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $27,664 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $68,402 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,544 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $76,276 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $76,000 |
| 3 | Slidell | $70,391 |
| 4 | Shreveport | $68,367 |
| 5 | Baton Rouge | $68,326 |
| 6 | Bossier City | $67,281 |
| 7 | Houma | $67,268 |
| 8 | Lake Charles | $66,312 |
| 9 | Monroe | $66,004 |
| 10 | Thibodaux | $65,855 |
| 11 | Kenner | $65,437 |
| 12 | Alexandria | $64,237 |
| 13 | Ruston | $64,227 |
| 14 | Central | $64,162 |
| 15 | Hammond | $63,271 |
| 16 | New Iberia | $63,270 |
| 17 | Lafayette | $62,419 |
| 18 | Natchitoches | $62,414 |
| 19 | Zachary | $62,117 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $61,760 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
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 Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Louisiana?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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