Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Baton Rouge, LA: $68,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Baton Rouge, LA earns a median $68,326/year (≈ $32.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Baton Rouge's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $75,265 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, can expect a median annual salary of $68,326, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247. This figure, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for the upcoming year, encompasses a salary range that spans from $24,881 at the 10th percentile to $81,239 at the 90th percentile. With a job market that has seen steady growth, Baton Rouge provides ample opportunities for those considering a PTA-to-DPT pathway, as advancing to a Doctor of Physical Therapy can significantly enhance lifetime earning potential. The competitive salaries reflect the strong demand for physical therapist assistants in the area, driven by various healthcare settings, including hospitals and outpatient clinics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,881 | $11.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,397 | $20.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,326 | $32.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,804 | $37.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,239 | $39.06 |
Median Salary Position
2.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge, LA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,358 (2026 est.). At $68,326, the local median is 2.73% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baton Rouge: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Baton Rouge Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Baton Rouge median: $68,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baton Rouge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $66,790 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -2.73% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $68,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.73% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.30% above the Louisiana state average of $66,790.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baton Rouge has a cost of living 9.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baton Rouge, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $68,326 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,265 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,250
2025 BLS Actual
$66,510
2026 Current Est.
$68,326
2019–2027 Growth
+58.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 50.3% from $44,250 (2019) to $66,510 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,941 (58.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge 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) | $24,881 – $42,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,397 – $68,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,326 – $78,804 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,804 – $81,239 |
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 Baton Rouge
The local job market for physical therapist assistants in Baton Rouge consists of approximately 290 employed professionals, which speaks to the healthcare sector's robustness in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78, salaries stretch further for PTAs, allowing for a favorable purchasing power compared to more expensive markets. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital rehab facilities tend to offer the highest compensation packages, which can further skew pay based on factors such as productivity expectations and weekend or PRN work. The ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affects earnings, especially within skilled nursing facilities, shifting the financial dynamics significantly. To maximize pay in this specific environment, PTAs should consider bolstering their specialization or seeking employment in higher-paying settings while maintaining awareness of the impacts of healthcare cuts on compensation structures.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $66,510 for physical therapist assistantsin the Baton Rouge 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